Factors Determining the Climate Of India

Climate is the aggregate of all the weather conditions over longer periods of time, in a particular place. The climate of India varies greatly from region to region, season to season, and place to place.

India boasts of a rich diversity in its topography which makes it distinct from other countries on the globe.

This factor can be broadly divided into two groups — factors related to location and relief, and factors related to air pressure and winds.

Factors related to Location and Relief-

There is a wide variety of factors which cause changes to be permeated in the relief. These factors may include relief from sources such as ocean, mountains, the large water bodies the heat from the sun and wind. Almost all countries have been deeply affected by earth relief factors. Depending upon these planet’s features, each country has varied its natural natural assets.

1. Latitude: Northern part of the India lies in sub-tropical and temperate zone and the part lying south of the Tropic of Cancer falls in the tropical zone. The tropical zone being nearer to the equator, experiences high temperatures throughout the year with small daily and annual range.
   1. The Himalayan Mountains: The lofty Himalayas in the north along with its extensions act as an effective climatic divide. The towering mountain chain provides an invincible shield to protect the subcontinent from the cold northern winds.
   1. Distribution of Land and Water: India is flanked by the Indian Ocean on three sides in the south and girdled by a high and continuous mountain-wall in the north. As compared to the landmass, water heats up or cools down slowly.
   1. Distance from the Sea: With a long coastline, large coastal areas have an equable climate. Areas in the interior of India are far away from the moderating influence of the sea. Such areas have extremes of climate.
   1. Altitude: Temperature decreases with height. Due to thin air, places in the mountains are cooler than places on the plains.
   1. Relief: The physiography or relief of India also affects the temperature, air pressure, direction and speed of wind and the amount and distribution of rainfall, The windward sides of Western Ghats and Assam receive high rainfall during June-September whereas the southern plateau remains dry due to its leeward situation along the Western Ghats.

Factors Related to Air Pressure and Wind

Air pressure and wind are vital to keeping Earth in its orbit, and keeping the planet habitable for humans and other species. The factors related to air pressure and wind also help determine the weather patterns we experience.

1. Distribution of air pressure and winds on the surface of the earth.
2. Upper air circulation caused by factors controlling global weather and the inflow of different air masses and jet streams.
3. Inflow of western cyclones generally known as disturbances during the winter season and tropical depressions during the south-west monsoon period into India, creating weather conditions favourable to rainfall.