Question

What are the major determinants of the climate of a place? Explain them.

Answer 1

The major determinants of the climate of a place are:-

1. Latitude
2. Altitude
3. Distance from the seas
4. Monsoon winds
5. Relief features (Mountains)
6. Jet Streams

1. Latitude:-
Latitudinally, India lies between 8°4’N and 37°6’N latitudes. The Tropic of Cancer divides the country into two equal halves. The area located to the south of the Tropic of cancer experiences high temperature and no severe cold season throughout the year whereas, the areas to the north of this parallel enjoy the subtropical climate. Here, summer temperature may rise above 40°C and it is close to the freezing point during winter.

2. Altitude:-
As one goes from the surface of the earth to higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes less dense and temperature decreases. The hills are therefore cooler during summer.

3. Distance from the seas:-
Distance from the sea does not cause only temperature and pressure variations but also affects the amount of rainfall. As the distance from the sea increased its moderating influence decreases and the people experience extreme weather conditions. This condition is known as continentality. (i.e.) Very hot during summers and very cold during winter.

4. Monsoon winds:-
The most dominant factor which affects the climate of India is the monsoon winds. These are seasonal reversal winds and India remains in the influence of these winds for a considerable part of a year. Though the sun’s rays are vertical over the central part of India during mid-June, the summer season ends in India by the end of May. It is because the onset of the southwest monsoon brings down the temperature of the entire India and causes moderate to heavy rainfall in many parts of the country. Similarly, the climate of southeast India is also influenced by the northeast monsoon.

5. Relief features (Mountains):-
Relief of India has a great bearing on major elements of climate such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, the direction of winds, and the amount of rainfall. High mountains act as barriers to cold or hot winds; they may also cause precipitation if they are high enough and lie in the path of rain-bearing winds. The leeward side of mountains remains dry.

6. Jet Streams:-
Jet streams are the fast-moving winds blowing in a narrow zone in the upper atmosphere. According to the Jet stream theory, the onset of southwest monsoon is driven by the shift of the subtropical westerly jet from the plains of India towards the Tibetan plateau. The easterly jet streams cause tropical depressions both during the southwest monsoon and retreating monsoon.