Question

discuss the weather conditions and the characteristics of the cold weather season

Answer 1

The cold weather season begins from the November in northern India and stays till February. December and January are the coldest months in the northern part of India. (a) The weather is normally marked by clear sky, low temperatures, low humidity and feeble variable winds. (b) Days are warm and nights are cold. Frost is common in the north and higher slopes of the Himalayas experience snowfall. (c) During this season, the north-east trade winds blow from land to sea and hence for most parts of the country it is a dry season. Some amount of rainfall occurs on the Tamil Nadu coast from these winds as they blow there from sea to land. (d) A characteristic feature of the cold weather season over the northern plains is the inflow of cyclonic disturbances from the west and the north-west. The low pressure systems originate over the Mediterranean Sea and Western Asia and move into India along with the westerly flow. They cause the much needed winter rains over the plains and snowfall in the mountains. (e) Although, the total amount of winter rainfall locally known as 'Mahawat' is small, it is of immense importance for the cultivation of 'rabi' crops. (f) The peninsular region does not have a well defined cold season. There is hardly any noticeable change in temperature pattern during winter due to the moderating influence of the sea.