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Weather and Climate
- Weather is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere at a place — hot, cold, rainy, sunny, etc.
- Climate is the average weather of a place over a long time (about 30 years).
A rainy morning is weather; "Mumbai is hot and wet for most of the year" describes its climate.
Climate of India
- India has a tropical monsoon climate.
- The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle, so the southern part lies in the tropical zone and the northern part in the sub-tropical zone.
- Factors that affect India's climate: latitude, altitude, distance from the sea and relief.
Why Hill Stations are Cooler
- Altitude affects temperature — higher places are cooler. That is why hill stations like Shimla and Ooty are cool even in summer.
Seasons of India
| Season | Months | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | December – February | Cold; days are short |
| Summer | March – May | Hot and dry; days are long |
| Rainy (SW Monsoon) | June – September | Moist winds bring most of the rain |
| Retreating Monsoon | October – November | Rains decrease; weather becomes pleasant |
Natural Vegetation
The plants that grow naturally (without human help) form the natural vegetation of an area. The type depends on temperature, rainfall, soil and relief.
| Type of vegetation | Found where | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical rain (evergreen) forests | Hot and wet regions | Western Ghats, N-E India, Andaman |
| Tropical deciduous forests | Regions with rain most of the year, then a dry season | Large parts of central India (most common type) |
| Thorny scrub forests | Low-rainfall dry regions | Rajasthan, Gujarat |
| Mountain vegetation | Slopes of mountains, changing with height | Himalayas |
| Tidal (mangrove) forests | Coastal, salty water | Sundarbans (West Bengal) |
In deciduous forests, trees shed their leaves in the dry season to save water; that is why they are also called monsoon forests.
Wildlife
- Forests give animals food and shelter, so rich vegetation means rich wildlife.
- India has wildlife of many kinds — tigers, lions, elephants, rhinoceros, peacocks, etc.
- Some species are endangered (in danger of dying out) and need protection.
Conservation of Wildlife
- Wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves protect animals and their homes.
- Project Tiger and Project Elephant are special programmes for endangered animals.
- Gir in Gujarat is famous for the Asiatic lion.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Weather | Day-to-day condition of the atmosphere |
| Climate | Average weather of a place over a long time |
| Monsoon | The seasonal winds that bring rain |
| Natural vegetation | Plants that grow on their own, without human help |
| Deciduous | Trees that shed leaves in the dry season |
| Endangered species | Animals in danger of dying out |
| Wildlife sanctuary | A protected area for wild animals |
| Biosphere reserve | A large protected area for plants, animals and people |
Exam Tips
- Weather = day-to-day; climate = long-term average — this difference is a very common 1-mark question.
- Learn the four seasons with their months; the south-west monsoon (June-September) brings most of the rain.
- The four factors affecting climate are latitude, altitude, distance from the sea, and relief.
- Match each vegetation type to its region — deciduous is the most common in India; thorny scrub is in dry areas; mangroves in salty coastal water.
- For wildlife protection, name sanctuaries, national parks, biosphere reserves and the schemes Project Tiger / Project Elephant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Weather is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere at a place. Climate is the average weather pattern of a place taken over a long time (about 30 years).