Indian climate indicates the weather variation of any specific area over a period of time. India can be divided into different climatic zones based on factors such as location, surface relief, surface wind and upper air circulation. India is a vast country and does not fit into any one zone. India occupies a large area of South Asia and Indian climate can be classified into four climatic zones namely Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid.
In the Alpine Zone of Indian climate, the inhabitants experience the high altitudes of Himalayas. In this region there are high climatic alterations due to steep altitude variations. Different types of climatic zones can be observed in this region. The foothills experience subtropical climate and there is Alpine Tundra Zone at the higher altitudes. Sub Tropical zone in Indian climate is prevalent in most of the northern part of India and can be called as the typical Indian climate. Summers are hot and wet while in winter temperature may drop down to freezing point in higher ranges. Precipitation is common in summer season whereas winters are often cold and dry.
Tropical zone in Indian climate can be divided into two sub types namely, Tropical Wet Monsoon and Tropical Dry. The characteristics of Tropical Wet Monsoon include average temperature, which usually does not fall below 18 degree C, along with average to high rainfall. In Tropical Dry type of climate in India, rainfall is not so common. In the arid zone, high temperature and low rainfall are distinctive features of this climatic zone. It is widespread in western part of the country and includes large part of Rajasthan. The temperature of this zone often rises up to as high as 50 degree C in summer.
Though divided into different climatic zones, Indian climate primarily suggests four seasons, namely winter, summer, advancing monsoon and retreating monsoon. Winter season in India, lasts from December to February almost in entire India. At this time of the year, days are cold with average temperature ranging from 10 degree C to 15 degree C, but it can also go below 0 C, in some higher ranges of northern India. Normally winters are dry in northern India, while in Southern part, the temperature difference is not so marked due to moderating effect of Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. Summers in Indian climate lasts during the months of March, April, May and June and is a time period when rays of the sun fall perpendicularly on Indian subcontinent. The average temperature is around 32 degree C but in western region the maximum temperature can be far above the average. Hot winds known, as `Loo`, is the unique feature of summers in north India.
Advancing Monsoon is India is the time period when India gets major part of its share of rain. Months of June, July, August and September form the main months of advancing monsoon in almost all parts of country. The monsoon approaches with moisture laden winds and this sudden approach is noticeable with violent thunderstorms and lightening, known as `break` of the monsoon. Retreating Monsoons in India starts when monsoon after drenching all of India, retreats. During the month of September, rainfall begins to decrease and in November, the monsoon is completely gone from major part of India, except in Tamil Nadu and some other southern states, which also receive rain from western disturbance. The Indian climate is largely responsible for the varied kinds of flora and fauna in the country. In cool temperatures, one may find, orchids, sal, palm and different medicinal herbs, while the plants growing in south India different due to different climatic type.
However, in recent times, this cycle of season has been disturbed due to uncontrolled industrialization and other developmental activities, resulting in extreme changes in Indian climate. This has lead to frequent climatic disasters such as drought, landslides floods and global warming. The unrestrained cutting down of trees indirectly leads to landslide and drought. Annual floods have become part quite common in many regions of India, resulting in large-scale loss of life and property.
The phenomenon of Global Warming is closely associated with Indian climate. This is mainly the result of air pollution. The polluting industries and vehicles running continually on the roads that emit harmful gases such as Carbon dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Methane and others. These gases produce `Green House` effect and leads to Global Warming. Thus Indian climatic changes are much due to these factors. The increase in average temperature of earth results in melting down of the polar ice and glaciers, which in turn shall lead to increased ocean level. This rising ocean level may immerse many of today`s existing islands and coastal cities.
