Assessing Factors Affecting the Climate of India

The climate of India varies greatly, from tropical in the south to temperate and alpine in the Himalayan North. India is frequently described as a country with a tropical monsoon climate. The Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean border the eastern, western, and southern coasts, creating an immensely diverse array of landscapes. 

Due to such varied climate conditions, India is further divided into several climatic zones, which depicts the true climatic identity of a respective part of the nation.

What is the Climate of India?

India’s climate is classified as ‘monsoon type’, indicating the influence of India’s tropical position and the flow of monsoon winds. Although a large portion of the country lies north of the Tropic of Cancer in the northern temperate zone, the Himalayas’ capping effects and the presence of the Indian Ocean in the south have contributed significantly to India’s unique climatic characteristics.

The country’s form, size, position, latitudinal extent, and magnificent terrain have resulted in a wide range of climatic conditions in different parts of the country.

India’s climate diversity is exhibited by geographical variations in temperature, rainfall volume, and the onset and duration of seasons.

Classification of the Climatic Conditions of India’s Different Climatic Zones

Monsoon Climate: This climate is found along the western coast of India, south of Goa. The region of this type of climate extends along the Coromandel coast. 

Monsoon Climate with the dry season in summers: This type of climate region extends along the Coromandel coast.

Savanna Climate: This climate is found widely throughout the peninsular region, except for a few coastal areas.

The inner areas of the peninsular plateau, as well as parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir, have a semi-arid type of climate

Hot Climate: This climate is only found in Rajasthan’s western region.

Monsoon climate: This climate is found primarily in India’s northern plains and is characterised by a short summer season. 

Cold-humid Climate: This climate is characterised by a short summer season. This region encompasses the northeastern areas of India.

Polar Climate: This climate is found in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in the surrounding mountain ranges.

Factors Affecting the Climate of India

Distance from the Sea: The Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal surround southern or peninsular India, making the climate of India’s coastline regions maritime. On the other hand, the climate of the country’s interior regions is isolated from the impact of the ocean, and as a result, they have a continental or severe climate.

Physiography: Physical characteristics determine the air temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind direction, and rainfall intensity in different parts of the country.

Monsoon Winds: The abrupt change in seasons is caused by a total reversal in the direction of winds across India. The hot summer season gives way to the much-anticipated monsoon or rainy season. Monsoon winds are defined as winds that change direction.

Southern Oscillation: The southern oscillation is a series of weather fluctuations that can often be seen between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It has been observed that when the surface level pressure over the Indian Ocean is high, the pressure over the Pacific Ocean is low, and vice versa. The Southwest monsoons in India tend to be weaker when pressure is increased over the Pacific Ocean and low over the Indian Ocean. On the contrary, the monsoons are likely to be more powerful.

The Himalayan Mountains: The climatic barrier between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent is marked by these mountains. They prevent the chilly Central Asian winds from entering the continent, making it milder than other parts of the world. They also prevent southwest monsoon winds from entering the atmosphere of the country. Between Central Asia and India, these mountains act as a climate barrier. 

Latitudinal Extent: India is located between the latitudes of 6°N and 37°N. The Cancer Tropic runs through the centre of the country. The country’s southern areas have hot weather throughout the year due to its close distance from the equator. On the other hand, the country’s northern regions are in the warm temperate zone. As a result, they are subjected to cold temperatures, particularly in the winter. The water bodies that encircle peninsular India keep the climate pleasant along the coast.

Conclusion 

India has various climatic conditions, as indicated by temperature, pressure, wind, and precipitation distributions. The monsoon winds, the Himalayan mountains, western disturbances, and distance from the sea are all factors that influence the climate of India’s various areas. The cold-weather season, the hot weather season, the advancing southwest monsoon season, and the receding southwest monsoon season are the four seasons of India, according to meteorology. The weather conditions during these seasons vary differently.