Geography - Climate Flashcards
Q No-1: Mention the four seasons that prevail in India stating the months for each.
The four seasons are: 1) The Hot and Dry Summers (March to May) 2) The Rainy Season or the Season of South-West Monsoon (June to September) 3) The Season of the Retreating South-West Monsoon (October to November) 4) The Winter Season (December to February)
Q No-2: State the agricultural benefits derived from: 1) The Westerly Depression in Punjab 2) The Kalbaisakhi in Assam
1) The Westerly Depression in Punjab causes rain in winter which is beneficial for crops like wheat and barley. 2) The Kalbaisakhi in Assam brings thunderstorms with strong winds and heavy rainfall
Q No-3: What is the climate given to the climate of India? Mention any two factors responsible for such a type of climate.
India has a Tropical Monsoon type of climate. Two factors affecting the climate of India are: - The Himalayas - The Monsoon Winds
Q No-4: Name the following: 1) The Winds that bring heavy rain to Cherrapunji 2) The Local Wind that brings light rainfall to South India and is good for tea and coffee crops
1) The winds that bring heavy rain to Cherrapunji are the Bay of Bengal branch of the South-West Monsoon. 2) The local wind that brings light rainfall to South India is called Mango Showers.
Q No-5: Explain two factors that affect the climate of India giving a suitable example for each.
1) Altitude: Temperature decreases at the rate of 1°C for every 166m rise in height. Example: Shimla is cooler than Kolkata. 2) Distance from the Sea: Coastal areas have a moderate climate
Q No-6: State two differences between rainfall that occurs from June to September and that from December to February in North India.
Cause – Rainfall from June to September is caused by the Southwest Monsoon, while rainfall from December to February occurs due to Western Disturbances.
Nature – Monsoon rainfall is heavy, widespread, and continuous, whereas winter rainfall is light, scattered, and occasional.
Q No-7: Mention the different sources of rain in Punjab and Tamil Nadu during the Winter season (Dec-Feb).
1) Punjab receives rainfall due to cyclonic disturbances (Western Disturbances) that originate over the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. 2) Tamil Nadu receives rainfall from the North-East Monsoon Winds during the Winter season.
Q No-8: State the benefits that are derived from the local winds that blow in summer in the following states: 1) Kerala 2) West Bengal
Kerala – Mango Showers help in the early ripening of mangoes.
West Bengal – Kalbaisakhi (Nor’westers) provides rainfall, benefiting jute, rice, and tea crops while cooling the region1)
Q No-9: Name two types of cyclonic systems that affect India and two areas that receive rainfall from these systems.
Tropical Cyclones – Form over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.(Odisha & West Bengal)
Western Disturbances – Originate in the Mediterranean region and impact North India. (Punjab & Himachal Pradesh)
Q No-10: Give three important characteristics of South-West Monsoon rainfall.
1) Orographic in nature 2) Uncertain in amount and time 3) The rainfall is erratic and unpredictable
Q No-11: Mention two factors responsible for the climate of India.
1) The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country. 2) The climate is influenced by the South-West and North-East Monsoon winds.
Q No-12: What is the direction of the seasonal Monsoon? Why?
1) The direction of the summer monsoon is South-West. 2) Because the intense heat over India causes the development of low pressure over the northern plains
Q No-13: “Rainfall in India is Orographic in nature.” Give an example with reference to the distribution of rainfall and the effect of relief on its distribution.
Relief plays a very important role in the distribution of rainfall in India. The windward slopes of the Western Ghats obstruct the winds coming from the sea and cause heavy rainfall
Q No-14: Mention two differences in the climatic conditions which prevail over Kerala and Uttar Pradesh in the month of June.
Rainfall – Kerala receives heavy rainfall in June due to the onset of the Southwest Monsoon, while Uttar Pradesh experiences hot and dry weather with occasional pre-monsoon showers.
Temperature – Kerala has a moderate temperature due to monsoon rains, whereas Uttar Pradesh remains very hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C before the monsoon arrives
Q No-15: Why does Mumbai receive rainfall in the Summer season while Chennai receives rainfall from October to December?
Mumbai receives rainfall in the summer season (June to September) because it is affected by the Southwest Monsoon winds, which blow from the Arabian Sea and bring heavy rainfall.
Chennai receives rainfall from October to December due to the Northeast Monsoon winds, which pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal and bring rain to Tamil Nadu
Q No-16: Name the source of winter rain in Tamil Nadu. How does Tamil Nadu benefit from it?
1) Tamil Nadu gets winter rain from the North-East Monsoon. 2) It helps Tamil Nadu in growing rice.
Q No-17: What type of wind is Monsoon? What is its direction during Summer?
1) Monsoon is a Periodic Wind or a Seasonal Wind. 2) The direction of the Summer Monsoon is South-West.
Q No-18: State the Climatic Significance of the Himalayas to the people of India.
Barrier to Cold Winds – They block icy winds from Central Asia, keeping North India warmer in winter.
Cause of Monsoon Rains – They force the Southwest Monsoon winds to rise, leading to heavy rainfall in northern and northeastern India.
Source of Rivers – Glaciers in the Himalayas feed major rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra, supporting agriculture.
Q No-19: Which type of climate is experienced in the Northern Plains of India? State one main characteristic of this type of climate.
1) The Northern Plains of India have a Continental type of Climate.
2) There is a high range of temperature between summer and winter. Summers are extremely hot (above 40°C), while winters are very cold (below 5°C in some areas).
Q No-20: Describe the climatic conditions that exist in the subcontinent before the South-West Monsoon.
Before the Southwest Monsoon (March to May), the Indian subcontinent experiences:
Intense Heat – High temperatures, especially in North and Central India, often exceeding 40°C. Low Pressure – A low-pressure area forms over North India, attracting moist winds. Pre-Monsoon Showers – Kalbaisakhi in Bengal, Mango Showers in South India, and Loo (hot, dry winds) in North India.
Q No-21: State the agricultural benefits derived from: a) The Westerly Depression in Punjab b) The Kalbaisakhi in Assam.
a) Westerly Depression in Punjab – Brings winter rainfall, which is essential for the growth of Rabi crops like wheat and barley.
b) Kalbaisakhi in Assam – Provides pre-monsoon showers, benefiting crops like tea, which is a major agricultural product of Assam. a) The Westerly Depression in Punjab causes rain in winter
Q No-22: Name two types of cyclonic systems that affect India and two areas that receive rainfall from these systems.
1) Temperate Cyclone - Region: North-west of India (Punjab
Q No-23: Give three features of the Arabian Sea Branch of South-West Monsoon.
1) Heavy relief rainfall (above 200 cm) on the Western coast and windward slope of the Western Ghats. Example: Mangalore
2) The Deccan Plateau receives less than 100 cm of rain as it lies in the rain shadow area. Example: Pune
3) Rajasthan does not get much rain as these winds blow parallel to the Aravalli Hills.
Q No-24: Give three features of the Bay of Bengal Branch of South-West Monsoon.
Features of the Bay of Bengal Branch of the Southwest Monsoon:
Heavy Rainfall in Northeast India – This branch brings intense rainfall to states like Assam, Meghalaya, and West Bengal, especially in places like Mawsynram and Cherrapunji. Moves Inland Towards North India – After hitting the Eastern Himalayas, the winds deflect westward, bringing rain to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. Weaker as It Moves Westward – The monsoon loses moisture as it moves inland, resulting in gradually decreasing rainfall from east to west.
Q No-25: Give three factors of the distribution of rainfall in India.
1) Relief of the land 2) Direction of the moisture-laden winds 3) The path of cyclonic depression
Q No-26: Classify India according to the amount of rainfall.
1) Region of Heavy Rain (over 200 cm): Western slopes of Western Ghats
Q No-27: Why does India have a Monsoon Type of climate? Explain the mechanism of the monsoon.
India has a marked monsoon climate due to: 1) A well-developed pressure system over land and sea 2) Presence of a large landmass and water body. The main cause of the monsoon climate is the differential rate of heating and cooling of land and water. This causes differences in atmospheric pressure. The wind always blows from the region of high pressure to a region of low pressure.
Q No-28: Describe the process of retreat of the Summer Monsoon.
Process of Retreat of the Summer Monsoon:
Starts in September – As temperatures drop, the low-pressure area over North India weakens. Winds Withdraw Gradually – The Southwest Monsoon winds start retreating from Northwest India, moving southeastward. Clear Skies & Rising Temperatures – The retreating monsoon causes clear skies, high humidity, and post-monsoon heat (October Heat). Complete Withdrawal by November – By November, the monsoon fully withdraws, except for the Northeast Monsoon, which brings rain to Tamil Nadu
Q No-29: What is a monsoon?
“Monsoon” means season. Monsoons are periodic seasonal winds. They come in south-west and north-east directions in India and create seasonal changes.
Q No-30: What is meant by “rain shadow area”? Give an example and state the mountains which are responsible for the rain shadow area.
A rain shadow area is one which faces the leeward slope and does not receive much rain. Example: The Deccan Plateau is a rain shadow area because it is the leeward slope of the Western Ghat mountains. Another example is Shillong
Q No-31: What is Break or Burst of Monsoon?
The sudden approach of the moisture-laden winds accompanied by thunder
Q No-32: What is Equable Climate?
Summers are not very hot
Q No-33: What is Extreme Climate?
There is a great difference in temperature; summers are very hot
Q No-34: What are Jet Streams?
Air currents found in the upper layers of the atmosphere which help in determining the arrival of monsoons.
Q No-35: What is Kalbaisakhi?
These are thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall. They occur in Assam and West Bengal and are good for tea
Q No-36: What is Loo?
Loo is a hot, dry wind that blows across Northwestern India and Gangetic Plains during the summer months
Q No-37: What is Windward Side?
The side of the mountain facing the moisture-laden winds and which receives very heavy rain. Example: The windward side of the Western Ghats facing the Arabian Sea and the windward slopes of the Garo and Khasi hills.
Q No-38: What is “October Heat”?
October is marked by clear
Q No-39: Distinguish between Burst of Monsoon and Break of Monsoon.
1) Burst of Monsoon: The sudden approach of the moisture-laden winds
Q No-40: Distinguish between South-West Monsoon and North-East Monsoon.
1) South-West Monsoon: These winds blow from June to September. The direction is from the South-West. They blow from sea to land and are moisture-laden winds. They bring heavy rainfall. 2) North-East Monsoon: These winds blow from October to November. The direction is from the North-East. They blow from land to sea. They bring clear skies
Q No-41: Distinguish between South-West Monsoon and Retreating Monsoon.
1) South-West Monsoon: These winds blow from June to September. The direction is from the South-West. They bring heavy rainfall. 2) Retreating Monsoon: These winds blow from October to November. The direction is from the North-East. The temperature decreases
Q No-42: Distinguish between Tropical Cyclone and Temperate Cyclone.
1) Tropical Cyclone: These are largely a summer phenomenon. They are generally smaller in size and have a circular shape. They develop in the tropical regions over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. They bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the eastern coast of India. 2) Temperate Cyclone: These are most intense in the winter season. They are bigger in size and have an elongated shape. They develop over continents and temperate regions. They bring light to moderate rainfall to the north-western part of India under the influence of westerly jet streams.
Q No-43: Distinguish between Arabian Sea Branch and Bay of Bengal Branch.
1) Arabian Sea Branch: It enters the Indian landmass after blowing over a vast open sea
Q No-44: Give reasons for the following: 1) Kolkata receives heavier rain than Kanpur.
The Bay of Bengal branch of the South-West Monsoon is deflected towards the west along the Himalayas. The rainfall decreases as it proceeds through the Ganga Valley
Q No-45: Give reasons for the following: 2) The Summer Monsoon winds blow over the Arabian Sea from the South-West.
A high-pressure gradient builds up between the hot North India with intense low pressure and the cooler surrounding seas with high pressure. The low-pressure area attracts the South-East Trade Winds
Q No-46: Give reasons for the following: 3) Thar is a desert area.
The Arabian Sea branch of the South-West Monsoon blows parallel to the Aravalli Hills
Q No-47: Give reasons for the following: 4) Kanpur has extreme temperature conditions.
Kanpur is situated in the interior parts of the country and is away from the influence of the sea. So
Q No-48: Give reasons for the following: 5) Kochi is warmer than Mumbai even though both lie on the western coast of India.
Kochi is located closer to the equator than Mumbai. So
Q No-49: Give reasons for the following: 6) The Ganga Plain gets the monsoon rain much later than the west coast of India.
The Ganga Plain receives monsoon rain later than the West Coast of India because:
Arrival of the Monsoon – The Southwest Monsoon first hits the Western Ghats in early June, bringing heavy rainfall to the west coast. Gradual Inland Movement – The monsoon winds then move slowly northward towards the Ganga Plain, reaching Delhi and Uttar Pradesh by late June or early July.
Q No-50: Give reasons for the following: 7) Kerala has the longest rainy season.
Kerala lies on the Malabar Coast and on the windward side of the Western Ghat mountains. The South-West Monsoon winds bring very heavy rainfall for a long duration along this coast.
Q No-51: Give reasons for the following: 8) The Konkan Coast experiences Orographic Rainfall.
Orographic Rainfall is mainly caused by the presence of a relief barrier. The Konkan Coast comprises a part of the South-West Monsoon winds. This causes heavy rainfall on the western slopes of the Western Ghats
Q No-52: Give reasons for the following: 9) The city of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh has a higher range of temperatures than that of Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
Kanpur has an interior location
Q No-53: Give reasons for the following: 10) Patna receives heavier rain than Delhi.
Patna receives heavier rain than Delhi because the Bay of Bengal branch of the South-West Monsoon moves up the Gangetic Plain. As it proceeds up the Ganga Valley
