CLIMATE

DESCRIBE THE CONTROLLING FACTORS OF INDIAN CLIMATE

1. Latitude:

- India's location near the equator results in a predominantly tropical climate

characterized by high temperatures and humidity.

- The Tropic of Cancer passes through the central part of India, marking the
northern boundary of the tropical region.

- Due to its proximity to the equator, India experiences relatively consistent day
lengths throughout the year, leading to less variation in daylight hours and
temperature.

2. Altitude

-The temperature decreases with increasing altitude in the Earth's atmosphere

which is approximately 6.5°C per kilometer (or 3.6°F per 1000 feet) of altitude gain.
This is called normal lapse rate

- The northern regions, including the Himalayas and parts of the Western Ghats,
experience cooler temperatures due to their higher elevation.

- Hill stations such as Shimla, Darjeeling, and Ooty are popular tourist
destinations known for their cooler climates, even during the summer months.

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3. Proximity to Water Bodies:

- India is surrounded by three major water bodies: the Indian Ocean to the south,
the Arabian Sea to the west, and the Bay of Bengal to the east.

- These water bodies influence the climate by acting as heat reservoirs,

moderating temperature extremes, and contributing to moisture in the
atmosphere through evaporation.

- Coastal regions experience milder temperatures compared to inland areas due

to the moderating effect of the nearby oceans.

4. Ocean Currents:

- Ocean currents, such as the warm Indian Ocean currents and the cool upwelling
currents, play a significant role in regulating temperature and precipitation patterns
along the coastlines.

- The warm currents contribute to the moisture content of the air, leading to
increased rainfall along the coast, especially during the monsoon season.

- Cold ocean currents can have the opposite effect, resulting in cooler
temperatures and drier conditions along the coast.

5. Monsoon Winds:

- The Indian monsoon is a seasonal wind pattern that brings the majority of
India's annual rainfall.

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 - The southwest monsoon, which occurs from June to September, is responsible
for the bulk of India's rainfall, especially over the western coast and the central and
northern regions.

- The northeast monsoon, occurring from October to December, brings rainfall to

parts of southern India, particularly the eastern coast and the northeastern states.

6. Himalayas:

- The Himalayan mountain range, stretching across the northern border of India,
exerts a significant influence on the country's climate.

- The Himalayas act as a barrier to cold, dry winds from the north, shielding much
of India from extreme cold temperatures.

- They also play a role in the distribution of rainfall by causing orographic uplift,
which leads to enhanced rainfall on the windward side and rain shadow effects on
the leeward side.

7. Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD):

- The Indian Ocean Dipole is a climate phenomenon characterized by the

difference in sea surface temperatures between the western and eastern Indian
Ocean.

- Positive IOD events, with warmer waters in the western Indian Ocean, are
associated with increased rainfall over parts of India, particularly the southern
peninsula.

- Negative IOD events, with cooler waters in the western Indian Ocean, can lead to
below-average rainfall and drought conditions in some regions.

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8. El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO):

- ENSO events, which include El Niño and La Niña, occur in the Pacific Ocean but
can have significant impacts on the Indian climate.

- During El Niño events, warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the

central and eastern Pacific Ocean can weaken the Indian monsoon, leading to drier
conditions and potentially droughts in parts of India.

- La Niña events, characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures

in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, can enhance the Indian monsoon and lead
to above-average rainfall in some regions.

9. Jet stream:

- The position and strength of the jet stream influence the onset and progression
of the monsoon.

- A northward shift of the Westerly tropical jet stream during June - July precedes
the onset of the monsoon, allowing moisture-laden air masses to penetrate deeper
into the Indian subcontinet.

- The subtropical jet stream can enhance or suppress the intensity of monsoon
rainfall by providing additional moisture or causing atmospheric disturbances.

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These factors interact dynamically to create the diverse climate patterns observed
across India, ranging from arid desert regions to humid tropical forests and from
high-altitude cold deserts to coastal plains with heavy rainfall.