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

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

• 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 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

• 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.

• 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.