The climate of India may be broadly described as tropical monsoon type. The term “monsoon” is derived from Arabic word ‘mausim’ which means seasonal reversal in the wind direction. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) designates four official seasons: 1. winter (From December to early April); 2. Summer or Pre-monsoon season (April to July in north-western India); 3. Monsoon or Rainy season (June-September); 4. Post-monsoon season (October-December). But traditionally, Indian note six seasons, each about two month long. These are spring (Sanskrit- Vasanta), late autumn (Hemanta) and winter (Shishira). These are based on the astronomical division of the 12 months into six parts. The ancient Hindu calendar also reflects these seasons in its arrangement of months.
India’s climate is affected by two seasonal winds — the north-east monsoon and the south-west monsoon. The north-east monsoon commonly known as winter monsoon blows from land to sea whereas south-west monsoon known as summer monsoon blows from sea to land after crossing the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The south-west monsoon brings most of the rainfall during the year in the country. It is now possible to make forecast about the monsoon rains successfully with developed models and trained manpower.
1. Tropical location, the presence of the Himalaya and Indian Ocean defines the special characteristics of Indian climate, but, it's broadly the tropical monsoon type. The region to the South of Tropic of Cancer experiences tropical climate, whereas the region of the North of the Tropic of Cancer experiences warm temperate climate.
2. The Northern Himalayan Range separates India from the rest of the India and hence, protects India from the bitterly cold and dry winds of Central Asia during winter. Moreover, it acts as a physical barrier for the rain bearing South-West monsoon.
3. India's large size also has significant impact on its climatic pattern, the areas near to the sea experience maritime climate, whereas the areas away from the sea experience continental climate.
4. Monsoon is the most dominating factor of Indian climate; it is the seasonal wind circulation, which completely reverses their directions of flow with the change in season.
5. The South-West summer monsoon from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal bring rainfall to the entire country. Besides, the North-East winter monsoon, travelling from land to sea causes rainfall along the Coromandal coast after getting moisture from the Bay of Bengal.
6. The Arabian branch of monsoon is more powerful than the Bay of Bengal branch. The onset of monsoon takes place first in Andaman and Nicobar Island and in Kerala coast in the Mainland of India.
7. Upper air circulation, the jet stream influences the monsoon as well as the climate in India. The easterly jet stream of the summer season helps with the onset of the South-West monsoon. The South branch of the jet stream in the winter season intensifies high pressure centres over the North-Western India.
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The climate of India may be broadly described as tropical monsoon type. The term “monsoon” is derived from Arabic word ‘mausim’ which means seasonal reversal in the wind direction. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) designates four official seasons: 1. winter (From December to early April); 2. Summer or Pre-monsoon season (April to July in north-western India); 3. Monsoon or Rainy season (June-September); 4. Post-monsoon season (October-December). But traditionally, Indian note six seasons, each about two month long. These are spring (Sanskrit- Vasanta), late autumn (Hemanta) and winter (Shishira). These are based on the astronomical division of the 12 months into six parts. The ancient Hindu calendar also reflects these seasons in its arrangement of months.
India’s climate is affected by two seasonal winds — the north-east monsoon and the south-west monsoon. The north-east monsoon commonly known as winter monsoon blows from land to sea whereas south-west monsoon known as summer monsoon blows from sea to land after crossing the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The south-west monsoon brings most of the rainfall during the year in the country. It is now possible to make forecast about the monsoon rains successfully with developed models and trained manpower.
1. Tropical location, the presence of the Himalaya and Indian Ocean defines the special characteristics of Indian climate, but, it's broadly the tropical monsoon type. The region to the South of Tropic of Cancer experiences tropical climate, whereas the region of the North of the Tropic of Cancer experiences warm temperate climate.
2. The Northern Himalayan Range separates India from the rest of the India and hence, protects India from the bitterly cold and dry winds of Central Asia during winter. Moreover, it acts as a physical barrier for the rain bearing South-West monsoon.
3. India's large size also has significant impact on its climatic pattern, the areas near to the sea experience maritime climate, whereas the areas away from the sea experience continental climate.
4. Monsoon is the most dominating factor of Indian climate; it is the seasonal wind circulation, which completely reverses their directions of flow with the change in season.
5. The South-West summer monsoon from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal bring rainfall to the entire country. Besides, the North-East winter monsoon, travelling from land to sea causes rainfall along the Coromandal coast after getting moisture from the Bay of Bengal.
6. The Arabian branch of monsoon is more powerful than the Bay of Bengal branch. The onset of monsoon takes place first in Andaman and Nicobar Island and in Kerala coast in the Mainland of India.
7. Upper air circulation, the jet stream influences the monsoon as well as the climate in India. The easterly jet stream of the summer season helps with the onset of the South-West monsoon. The South branch of the jet stream in the winter season intensifies high pressure centres over the North-Western India.