The Cold Weather Season

The Seasons: Distinct seasonal pattern is an important characteristic of monsoon type of climate. The weather conditions in India greatly change from one season to another. These changes are particularly noticeable in the interior parts of the country. The coastal areas not experience much variation in temperature though there is variation in rainfall pattern. There are basically four season identified in India. These are

1. The Cold Weather Season (Winter): The cold weather season begins from mid-November and stays. February in Northern parts of India with December and January as the coldest months. The temperature decreases from South to North. For instance, the average temperature of Chennai, on the Eastern coast, is between 24°—25°C while in Northern plains, it range between 10°—15°C. During this season, days are warm and night are cold. Frost occurs in the Northern plains and snow falls in the high mountainous regions of Himalayas. As the North-East trade winds blow during this period, most of the country remains dry as they blow from land towards sea. The only rain occurs in Tamil Nadu and Southern Andhra Pradesh due to these winds picking up moisture from the Bay of Bengal.

Features of Cold Weather Season: The characteristic features are:

A feeble (weak) high pressure region develops in the Northern part of the country. Influenced by the relief, the light winds moving outwards from this area blow through the Ganga valley from the West and the North-West.

Clear sky, low temperature and humidity, and feeble, variable winds are the characteristics of the weather during the period.

There is an inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the West and the North-West, which have originated over the Mediterranean Sea and Western Asia. They cause winter rains over the plains and snowfall in the mountains. This winter rainfall though in small amount is locally known as Mahawat. It is useful for cultivation of the Rabi crops.

The peninsular region has moderating effect from sea and hence, it doesn’t have well defined cold seasons. Also there is hardly any noticeable change in temperature pattern.

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

Which of the following is the main cause of heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu during winters?
A. Blowing of trade winds		B. Eastern Ghats provide a barrier for North - Western monsoon winds
C. Closeness to the Equator		D. Tropical cyclones which originate when the North-West Monsoon winds cross Bay of Bengal
Right Option : D
View Explanation

Question : 2

Which one of the following characterises the cold water season in India?
A. Warm days and warm nights		B. Warm days and cold nights
C. Cold days and cold nights		D. Cold days and warm nights
Right Option : B
View Explanation

Question : 3

Which one of is not a characteristic of the cold weather season in India?
A. It begins in Mid November		B. Warm days and cold nights
C. Cool days and cold nights		D. Cold days and warm nights
Right Option : D
View Explanation