Class 4 Exam  >  Class 4 Notes  >  Social Studies for Class 4  >  Chapter Notes: The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate

The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST

Weather and Climate

  • Weather is what we feel every day. It can change from one day to the next. For example, today might be sunny, but tomorrow could be rainy.
  • Climate is what the weather is like in a place over a very long time (about 35–40 years). It tells us the usual weather in a place, like if a place is mostly hot or cold throughout the year.The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST

The Difference Between Weather and Climate

  • Weather changes daily. For example, it can be sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy, or foggy.
  • Climate is the pattern of weather in one place over many years.
  • The landform of an area (like mountains or plains) affects its climate.
  • Two important things that change climate are temperature and rainfall.

Seasons

Seasons are the different times of the year that have their own kinds of weather. In a year, we have different seasons because of how the Earth moves around the sun.

The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST

There are four main seasons in many parts of the world:

  1. Summer – It’s usually the hottest time of the year.
  2. Winter – This is the coldest time of the year.
  3. Spring – It comes after winter and is when plants start to grow again.
  4. Autumn (or Fall) – This comes after summer when the leaves fall from trees, and the weather starts to cool down.

The Four Seasons in India

In India, the year is divided into four main seasons. These seasons come at different times of the year and feel very different from each other. Let’s understand each season:

  1. Hot Weather Season (March to May in South India, March to June in North India):

    • In this season, it starts getting very hot.
    • The sun moves closer to India, which makes it warmer.
    • In some places, especially in North India, it can get so hot that the temperature goes above 45°C! That is extremely hot.The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST
    • There are hot, dry winds that blow in the north. These winds are called “loo.”
    • In South India, places like Kerala, West Bengal, and Assam, there are some rains before the monsoon comes.
      • These rains are called "Mango Showers" in Kerala because they come when mangoes are about to grow.
      • In Assam and West Bengal, these rains are called "Kal Baisakhi."
  2. The Rainy Season (June to September):

    • This is also called the South-West Monsoon Season.
    • During this season, the rain comes to most parts of India.
    • The rain first starts in Kerala around the first week of June, and then it spreads to other parts of India.The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST
    • By mid-July, almost all of India has rain.
    • During this time, the temperature comes down, and it doesn’t feel as hot as before. The temperature drops by about 5°C to 10°C, making the weather more comfortable.
  3. Retreating Monsoon Season (October and November):

    • After the rainy season, the weather starts to calm down.
    • The sun starts moving away from India, going back towards the equator.The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST
    • This season is called the retreating monsoon because the rains slowly stop.
    • During this time, the state of Tamil Nadu gets a lot of rainfall. This is the main rainy season for Tamil Nadu.
  4. The Cold Weather Season (December to February):

    • In this season, the sun moves further south, away from India. It moves towards the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere.
    • This makes it cold in India, especially in the northern parts.
    • The coldest month is January because the sun is farthest from India.The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST
    • In the north, temperatures can get very low, but in the south, it stays warmer.
    • The average temperature during this season is about 20°C.
    • There is some rainfall during this season on the Coromandel Coast (the southeastern coast of India).

Factors That Affect India’s Climate

The climate, or weather patterns, in India are influenced by different things. Let’s look at them in detail:

(i) Location and Latitudinal Extent

The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST

  • India is located between 6° N and 37° N latitudes on the world map.
  • The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of India. This line helps to divide the earth into different temperature zones.
  • The southern part of India is closer to the equator, so it is warmer.
  • The northern part of India is further from the equator and is in the warm temperate zone, meaning it’s not as hot as the equator, but it can still get quite warm.

(ii) Distance from the Sea

The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST

The southern part of India is surrounded by water on three sides:

  • The Arabian Sea to the west.
  • The Bay of Bengal to the east.
  • The Indian Ocean to the south.

This makes the southern parts of India have more balanced temperatures. It doesn’t get too hot or too cold because the water around it keeps the temperature steady.

(iii) The Northern Mountain Ranges

The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST

  • In the north of India, there are tall mountains called the Himalayas. These mountains stretch from Kashmir in the northwest to Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast.
  • The Himalayas protect India from the cold winds that blow from Central Asia in winter. Without the mountains, India would be much colder in winter.
  • These mountains also help keep the monsoon rains in India by stopping the rain clouds from crossing over to other countries.

(iv) Physiography (Land Features)

  • India has many different landforms like mountains, plains, deserts, and plateaus.
  • These different landforms affect how the weather feels in different parts of India. For example:
    • The plains can get very hot.
    • The mountains stay cooler.
    • Deserts get very hot during the day and cold at night.

Effect of Climate on Human Activity

The climate in India has a big effect on how people live. It influences:

  • What clothes people wear: In hot places, people wear light clothes, and in cold places, they wear warm clothes.
  • What food people eat: The type of crops grown depends on the climate, like rice grows where it rains a lot.
  • Festivals and cultural activities: Many festivals are based on the seasons, like the harvest festival Pongal in Tamil Nadu or Makar Sankranti in other parts of India.
  • Daily activities and work: In very hot places, people may avoid working during the hottest part of the day.

Globalization, which means the mixing of cultures and ideas from around the world, is also changing how people live. For example, even though it’s hot, people in India may follow clothing styles or trends from cooler countries.

The Importance of Weather Forecasting

In India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is responsible for telling us about the weather. They predict (or forecast) what the weather will be like in the coming days.The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST

  • Weather forecasts are shown on TV and written in newspapers.
  • These forecasts are very important for:
    • Farmers: They need to know if it will rain so they can plan when to plant their crops.
    • Navy and aviation: The weather affects ships at sea and airplanes in the air, so they need to know if it’s safe to travel.
    • Other activities: Many outdoor events depend on good weather.

Key Points

  • India is a large country with diverse weather patterns that impact daily life, agriculture, clothing, and living conditions.
  • The country experiences different types of weather due to its varied landscapes, including mountains, plains, and coastal areas.
  • Weather refers to the day-to-day atmospheric conditions, like temperature, rain, wind, and humidity, and can change quickly.
  • Climate describes the long-term weather patterns in a region, typically observed over 30 years, and helps predict seasonal changes.
  • India has four main seasons: hot summer, rainy monsoon, retreating monsoon, and cold winter, each with distinct weather characteristics.
  • Factors like India’s location, distance from the sea, the Himalayas, and varied landforms influence its climate.
  • The climate affects human activities such as clothing, food, cultural practices, and economic activities, though globalization also plays a role in shaping these aspects.

The document The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST is a part of the Class 4 Course Social Studies for Class 4.
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FAQs on The Climate in Our Country / Our Climate Class 4 Notes SST

1. What are the different seasons in India?
Ans. India experiences four main seasons: summer, monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter.
2. What are the factors that influence the climate in India?
Ans. Factors influencing the climate in India include latitude, altitude, distance from the sea, and the presence of mountain ranges.
3. How does climate impact human activities in India?
Ans. The climate in India affects agriculture, tourism, and outdoor activities, with different regions experiencing varying impacts based on their climate patterns.
4. What are some key points to remember about the climate in India?
Ans. Key points about the climate in India include the presence of diverse climatic regions, the influence of factors like the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean, and the impact of monsoons.
5. How do seasons in India impact day-to-day life for its residents?
Ans. Seasons in India impact daily life by influencing clothing choices, food preferences, outdoor activities, and agricultural practices, with each season bringing its own set of challenges and opportunities.
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