Cold Weather Season (Winter)
1. Duration: Mid-November to February.
• Coldest Months: December and January.
• Temperature Variation a)South Chennai: 24°C–25°C (mild)
b)North: Northern plains: 10°C–15°C (cold).
• Weather Features: Frost is common in the north. (Snowfall occurs in the higher
Himalayan slopes).
2. Winds:- Dominated by northeast trade winds:
a)Dry Winds: Blow from land to sea.
b)Tamil Nadu Exception: Moist winds blow from sea to land, causing rainfall
3. General Weather Characteristics:- Clear skies, Low temperatures.
Low humidity, Light-variable winds.
4. Cyclonic Disturbances (Origin): Mediterranean Sea and western Asia.
Impact: a) Bring winter rainfall (mahawat) to northern plains.
b) Cause snowfall in the Himalayas.
c) Rainfall is vital for rabi crops cultivation.
5. Peninsular Region (No Well-Defined Winter):
a) Minimal temperature variation.
b) Moderating influence of surrounding seas keeps the region warm.
Summer in India (March to May)
1. Duration (Time Period): March to May.
Cause: The movement of the Sun shifts the global heat belt northwards.
2. Temperature Variations
• March: Highest temperature (~38°C) recorded on the Deccan Plateau.
• April: Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Temperature = 42°C.
• May: Northwestern India commonly records temperatures of 45°C.
• Peninsular India: Temperatures remain lower due to the moderating influence of
oceans.
3. Loo: Strong, gusty, hot, and dry winds in north and northwestern India during the day. Can be fatal
if directly exposed.
4. Dust Storms: Common in May in northern India.
• Provide temporary relief by lowering temperatures and bringing light rain.
5. Localized Thunderstorms: Accompanied by violent winds, torrential rain, and hail.
• In West Bengal, these storms are called ‘Kaal Baisakhi’.
• 5. Pre-Monsoon Showers Occurrence: Towards the end of the season.
• Regions Affected: Kerala and Karnataka.
• Impact : Help in the early ripening of mangoes, hence referred to as ‘mango showers’
Advancing Monsoon (The Rainy Season)
*Begins in early June due to low-pressure conditions over northern plains, attracting south-west
winds.
*Heavy rain in Western Ghats and northeastern India (Mawsynram gets the highest globally).
*Decreased rain from east to west; Rajasthan and Gujarat get scanty rainfall.
*Alternates between wet and dry spells due to shifts in the monsoon trough.
*Heavy rains in Himalayan regions can cause floods.
*Depressions (LP-area) from the Bay of Bengal enhance rainfall.
*Impact: Irregular patterns cause floods in some areas and droughts in others, disrupting agriculture.
Retreating/Post-Monsoon (Transition Season)
Monsoon Withdrawal:
a) Low-pressure trough weakens, replaced by a high-pressure system.
b) South-west monsoon winds withdraw gradually, starting from the Northern Plains in early
October.
Transition Season:
a) Marks a shift from the rainy season to dry winter.
b) Characterized by clear skies, high day temperatures, cool nights, and lingering soil moisture.
c) High temperature and humidity during the day cause “October heat.”
Cyclonic Activity:
a) Low-pressure areas shift to the Bay of Bengal by November, leading to cyclonic depressions.
b) These cyclones bring heavy rain to eastern coasts and are often destructive, impacting the deltas
of the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri rivers.
c)Rainfall along the Coromandel Coast mainly comes from these cyclones.
Temperature Drop:
a)In late October, northern India begins experiencing a significant drop in temperature.
Monsoon as a Unifying Bond
Geographic Influence: The Himalayas shield northern India from cold winds, while the surrounding
seas moderate the Peninsular plateau’s temperatures.
Seasonal Rhythm: The monsoon creates a rhythmic seasonal cycle, with uneven rainfall being a
typical feature.
Impact on Life: The monsoon shapes India’s landscape, agriculture, and cultural practices,
influencing festivals and daily life.
National Unity: Monsoon winds and the water they bring unite the country by supporting
agriculture, with river valleys further connecting regions.
