Climate Test - 9

The duration of the monsoon is from early June to mid-September. Around the time of its arrival, the normal rainfall increases suddenly and continues constantly for several days. This is known as the ‘burst’ of the monsoon and can be distinguished from the pre-monsoon showers. The monsoon arrives at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula generally by the first week of June. 

Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a long period of time (more than thirty years).

Tamil Nadu receives most of its rain from the north-east trade winds during the winter season. Moreover, many low-pressure systems develop in the Bay of Bengal during this period and move towards the east coast of Tamil Nadu causing heavy rainfall.

• The Loo is a strong, dusty, gusty, hot and dry summer wind from the west which blows over the western Indo-Gangetic Plain region of North India and Pakistan. It is especially strong in the months of May and June.
  

Monsoon arrives at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula generally by the first week of June. The monsoon strikes Malabar Coast in the month of June and leaves the country by November.

As the distance from the sea increases, 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 winters). 

Mawsynram in the southern ranges of the Khasi Hills receives the highest average rainfall in the world. It gets about 1100 cm rains in the year.

This is because South west monsoon arising from Bay of Bengal flows parallel to the Aravalli Mountains and reach north east part of India.

The season that is marked by the onset of monsoon is known as south-west monsoon. It is also called as rainy season. It sets in when winds blowing from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal carry moisture and hits the mountains. It lasts from June to September. 

By mid-June, the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon arrives over Saurashtra-Kuchchh and the central part of the country. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal branches of the monsoon merge over the northwestern part of the Ganga plains.