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Did you know the Climate of India is as varied as the culture? Climate refers to the weather patterns like temperature, rainfall, humidity, and winds. India’s climate shapes the lives of more than 1 billion people. Therefore, knowing about it is beneficial for farmers to choose crops, planners to prepare for floods, and for you to make your travel plans. In this blog, we will introduce you to the diverse climate of India. You will understand the difference between weather and climate, features of India’s climate, and the factors affecting it, and more.
Table of Contents
What is Climate? – Definition
First of all, let’s understand what the climate is. Climate refers to the long-term average weather conditions. This includes the average temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and seasons. In a specific region. A climate is typically calculated over 30 years! It is different from weather, which focuses on the day-to-day patterns (short term) rather than specific events. The climate of India is varied.
What is the Climate of India?
Do you want to know about the climate of India? It is a tropical monsoon climate.
The climate of India is tropical monsoon. However, there is a marked seasonal reversal of winds. There is also a heavy concentration of rainfall during the southwest monsoon. India has high plateaus, vast plains, deserts in the west, and the Himalayan ranges in the north. These create local temperature variations.
Also Read: 8 Union Territories of India and Their Capitals: What Makes Them Special
What Type of Climate is in India?
Due to its topography, the climate of India varies. As per the Köppen system, India has the following climate:
- Tropical
- Temperate
- Continental
- Tundra/ice‑cap
- Subtypes in the Himalayas
The coastal areas have a tropical dry and wet climate. On the other hand, the deserts in India are arid. On the flip side, the Himalayan climate is temperate to polar.
Features Of the Indian Climate
To understand the climate of India, let’s look at key features:
- India’s climate is mainly monsoon. More than 75% of the annual rainfall happens between June to September.
- There are mainly 4 seasons in the country. That is, summer, winter, post-monsoon, and southwest monsoon.
- The temperature can be varied depending on the region. For example, the Himalayas can have temperatures below freezing, and the deserts can have temperatures that are above 50 degrees.
- There is a regional contrast. For example, if you visit northern India or the west coast, you can witness heavy rainfall. On the other hand, if you visit deserts, it stays dry.
Which Climate is Best in India?
The desirable climate of India is mild or pleasant throughout the year. For this, you can visit the Hill stations like Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Darjeeling in West Bengal, and Shillong in Meghalaya. These regions typically have the ‘best’ climate. The temperatures are usually between 15–25 °C throughout the year. On the other hand, you can live in coastal cities like Bangalore, as they have a moderate climate due to sea breezes.
Factors That Influence Indian Climate
The following are the factors that influence the climate of India
- Latitude- India’s tropical to subtropical region determines the solar heating
- Altitude:- High elevation. For example, the Himalayas result in cooler temperatures
- Himalayas- This blocks cold winds coming from Central Asia and creates a rain shadow in the northwest.
- Monsoon winds- Southwest summer monsoon brings rains. However, in the northwest, the monsoon winds bring autumn showers.
- Ocean currents- The oceans also affect the rainfall patterns and intensity.
What are the 4 Seasons of India?
The climate of India includes 4 main seasons. They are:
| Season | Duration | Key Characteristics |
| Winter | December to February | Cool and dry; frost and snow in the Himalayas; temperatures decrease from south to north. |
| Summer / Pre-Monsoon | March to May | Hot and dry; temperatures often exceed 45 °C in northern plains; pre-monsoon showers in southern regions. |
| Southwest Monsoon | June to September | Rainy season, heavy downpours on windward slopes; crucial for agriculture; over 75% of annual rainfall. |
| Post-Monsoon | October to November | Retreating monsoon, scattered rains on the southeast coast; transition to cooler temperatures. |
Top 5 Facts about the Climate of India
The following are the top five facts about the climate of India:
- During the southwest monsoon (June to September), India receives more than 75% of its annual rainfall
- Each year, the Thar Desert in Rajasthan gets rainfall of under 150 mm
- Mawsynram, in Meghalaya, is the wettest place in India
- The Himalayan regions have temperatures below the freezing level. Moreover, they get snowfall that feeds the main rivers.
- Chennai (east coast) relies on the retreating northwest monsoon. That is, from October to December, for the rains.
Also Read: Famous Bridges in India: Architectural Gems You Should Know
FAQs
The main climate of India is a tropical monsoon. This is marked by sharp switches between dry and wet seasons due to periodic reversal of the wind direction over the Indian Ocean and the landmass.
Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions. Something that you expect day to day or hourly. For example, a windy morning, a rainstorm, or a hot afternoon. On the other hand, climate refers to the long‑term statistical average of these weather events over decades. This gives you an overall picture.
India’s climate is tropical monsoon. It has wet summers, dry winters, and transitional seasons. The annual rainfall also differs. In the deserts, it can be under 150 m. On the other hand, in Megahlaya it can be 4,000 m. There are also temperature extremes (0 degrees in the Himalayas to 50 degrees in deserts).
The natural environment of India is varied, You have tropical rainforests in the Western Ghats and the Andaman Islands. On the other hand, there are deciduous forests in Central Asia. In the northwest, there is that desert. The Himalayas have alpine vegetation.
Recently, Delhi and other regions have experienced heat waves. The temperature would often rise above 40 degrees as early as April. On the other hand, the Himalayan snowfall has reached an all-time low. This is a threat to the freshwater supplies.
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These were the facts about the climate of India. If you find it fascinating and wish to read more such interesting facts about Geography, then stay tuned to the page Indian Exam of Leverage Edu.
