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Climatic Regions of India
India’s climate is classified into several regional types. The most widely used classification is Koppen’s system, which divides India based on temperature and precipitation.
Koppen’s Classification
| Region | Type | Characteristics | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amw | Tropical monsoon | Heavy rainfall >200 cm, high humidity | Western Ghats, NE India |
| As | Tropical savanna | Dry summer; annual rainfall 100-200 cm | Tamil Nadu coast |
| Aw | Tropical wet-dry | Distinct wet and dry seasons | Peninsula south of Tropic of Cancer |
| BShw | Semi-arid steppe | Low rainfall 40-75 cm; hot summers | Rajasthan, Gujarat |
| BWhw | Arid desert | <40 cm rainfall; extreme temps | Western Rajasthan |
| Cwg | Humid subtropical | Moderate winter; strong monsoon; rain 75-200 cm | Gangetic plains, NE India |
| Dfc | Cold humid winter | Severe winter; mild summer | Himalayan region |
| E | Polar type | Very cold; snow | High Himalayas >4,500m |
Thornthwaite Classification
Based on moisture index, India has five climatic types: Perhumid (NE India), Humid (Western Ghats, West Bengal), Moist Sub-humid (Peninsular India), Dry Sub-humid (Gangetic plains), Semi-Arid (Rajasthan, Deccan interior), and Arid (Western Rajasthan).
Factors Influencing Climatic Regions
- Latitude: Tropic of Cancer passes through middle; southern India tropical, northern subtropical
- Altitude: Himalayas block cold winds; temperature decreases with altitude
- Distance from sea: Coastal areas equable climate; interior extreme
- Monsoon winds: Primary determinant of rainfall pattern
- Western Disturbances: Winter rainfall in NW India
Region-wise Climate Features
- Western Himalayas: Cold winters with snowfall; mild summers; rainfall 100-200 cm
- North-East India: Heavy rainfall (Mawsynram 11,871 mm annually); high humidity
- Indo-Gangetic Plains: Extreme seasonal variations; 50-150 cm rainfall west to east
- Peninsular India: Moderate temperatures; seasonal contrasts less marked
- Coastal Plains: Equable temperatures; 75-150 cm rainfall
- Thar Desert: <40 cm rainfall; temperature ranges from near-freezing to 50°C