Question

1. Cycle of seasons
2. Cold weather season
3. Hot weather season
4. Mango showers
5. Retreating monsoon
6. Variation in rainfall

Answer 1

1. Temperature variance, rainfall distribution and monsoon winds cause four different season cycles in India. The names of the main seasons in India are as follows:

• Cold weather season - Mid-November to mid-March
• Hot weather season - Mid-March to May end
• Southwest monsoon season - June to September
• Retreating monsoon season - October to mid-November

2. The cold weather season lasts from November to March. During this period, most parts of the country experience a very low temperature. This temperature decreases as we move from south to north. January and February are the coldest months of the year.

3. The hot weather season lasts from April to May. The temperature remains high throughout the country. The Northern Plains witness hot and dusty winds, which cause dust storms.

4. Towards the end of the hot weather season and before the onset of the monsoon season, few parts of the country receive pre-monsoon showers. These pre-monsoon showers in Kerala and Karnataka cause the early ripening of mangoes. Hence, these showers are referred to as mango showers.

5. The monsoon winds start retreating from mid-September and continues till November. The process is very slow. It causes rainfall in the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu and some other areas.​ During this period, the hot, wet season changes to the cold, dry season.

6. The distribution of rainfall is not uniform. It varies not only from one place to another but also from season to season. Most of the rainfall received is from the southwest monsoon. But the amount of the rainfall decreases as we move from south to north and from east to west. Also, decrease in rainfall is seen when we go from coastal areas to the interiors of the country.