Climate of India

Geography • Class 9 Social Science • NCERT • CBSE

India has a tropical monsoon type of climate. The four seasons are: Winter (December–February), Summer/Pre-monsoon (March–May), Rainy/Southwest monsoon (June–September), and Retreating monsoon (October–November). The monsoon is the most significant feature of Indian climate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four seasons of India and when do they occur?
Four seasons: (1) Winter (December–February): cold, dry; western disturbances bring rain to northwest. (2) Summer (March–May): very hot; loo winds; pre-monsoon storms (mango showers, Kalbaisakhi). (3) Southwest Monsoon (June–September): main rainy season; brings 75-90% of annual rainfall. (4) Retreating Monsoon (October–November): northeast monsoon brings rain to Tamil Nadu coast.
Why does Mawsynram receive the highest rainfall in India?
Mawsynram (Meghalaya) receives the highest annual rainfall (~11,000mm) because: (1) It lies in the Khasi Hills which funnel moisture-laden Bay of Bengal winds. (2) The bowl-shaped topography concentrates rainfall. (3) Moist air rises rapidly over the steep hills, cools, and condenses as heavy rain. Cherrapunji (also Meghalaya) is a close second.
How does the Himalayan barrier influence India's climate?
The Himalayas influence India's climate in three ways: (1) Prevents cold Central Asian winds from entering India — so north India is not as cold as other areas at similar latitudes. (2) Forces the moisture-laden southwest monsoon winds to rise and cool — causing heavy rainfall on the southern slopes and Indo-Gangetic Plains. (3) Stores water as glaciers and snow — feeds perennial rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra year-round.

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