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India is naturally separated from the rest of Asia by the Himalayan ranges that block cold air from central Asia. This results in the northern states of India having slightly higher temperatures than other same altitude areas during the winter season. On the other hand, during the summer season due to the sun’s position the region experiences a dry climate like that of the equatorial regions. The plains in the northern region of India are influenced by the hot wind called ‘loo’ from Thar and Iranian deserts. This makes the temperatures comparable to the southern part of India.
Features Of the Indian Climate
India has the climate of Tropical monsoon due to its peculiar position in the Asian continent and the Indian Ocean. Indian climate is mostly characterized by wet and dry seasons. However, some locations within India like Ladhak and Thar desert do not have wet seasons. The mean rainfall in each region in India varies While Meghalaya records one of the highest rainfalls while Jaisalmer records the least. The Ganga plains and coastal regions receive rainfall during July and August. The coromandel region is dry during these months. During the months of June and July places like Goa, Patna, and Hyderabad receives rainfalls along with regions in the Northwest.
In India, diurnal and annual temperatures have substantial ranges. Thar experience the highest diurnal temperatures while the Himalayas experience the highest annual temperatures. Coastal regions have lower annual and diurnal temperatures. The Indian subcontinent has hot summers and moderately cold winters. In the Himalayas, winters are extremely cold while summers are moderately hot.
Factors That Influence Indian Climate
- Himalayan ranges- act as a divide between India and central Asia and protects India from cold dry winds from the central Asian region. They also act as barriers to strong monsoon winds. If not for the Himalayas the monsoon winds would move towards China making the northern Indian region a desert.
- Location-India has a tropical climate due to its location between 8^N and 37^N latitude. Areas in the south of the tropic of cancer have high solar insulation, while the northern regions receive lesser insulation.
- Sea-Regions in India near the coast have a relatively moderate climate. While the interior parts tend to experience more extreme climate situations. The monsoon winds bring good rainfall into the region.
- Mansoon Winds-Mansoon winds are an extremely important part of the Indian climate. They are characterized by sudden onset, progress, retreat, and reversal of winds during some seasons.
- Air circulation-The jet streams cause changes in India’s climate. The western jet stream and Easternjet stream mainly influence weather patterns in India.
- El-Nino, La Nina , ENSO
El-Nino badly affects the monsoon rainfalls. However, it is good for cyclogenesis in the Arabian sea. El-Nino also result in droughts during the season in which they occur
La Nina is good for the cyclogenesis process in the Bay of Bengal and suppresses the process in Arbaian sea. Floods are common during the time La-Nina ocurrs.
ENSO
El-Nino Southern Oscillation means changes in temperature in central and pacific region oceans. Climatic conditions as a result of the ENSO effect are similar to the El-Nino effect.
Conclusion
India mostly has the climate of a tropical country. India’s northern part is situated in the temperate belt. The northern states of India have slightly higher temperatures than other same altitude areas during the winters season. On the other hand, during the summer season due to the sun’s position the region experiences a dry climate like that of the equatorial regions. India has the climate of Tropical monsoon due to its peculiar position in the Asian continent and the Indian Ocean. The Indian subcontinent has hot summers and moderately cold winters. In the Himalayas, winters are extremely cold while summers are moderately hot.
