Climate | Class 11 Geography Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 5 min read
Climate – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Climate from Class 11 Geography, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
The Southwest Monsoon Season
The southwest monsoon season, from June to September, is the most significant climatic phase in India, bringing the majority of the annual rainfall. The intense heating of the northwestern plains in May creates a powerful low-pressure area that attracts the moisture-laden trade winds from the Southern Hemisphere. These southeast trade winds cross the equator between 40°E and 60°E longitudes and, due to the Coriolis force, are deflected to become southwest monsoon winds. These winds approach India in two main branches: the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch. The Arabian Sea branch splits into three sub-branches: one strikes the Western Ghats causing heavy rainfall on the windward side (250 cm to 400 cm), another moves along the Narmada and Tapi river valleys bringing rainfall to central India, and the third passes over the Kachchh and western Rajasthan causing scanty rainfall. The Bay of Bengal branch strikes Myanmar and Bangladesh, is deflected by the Arakan Hills, and enters West Bengal and Bangladesh. It then splits, with one branch moving westward along the Ganga plains and the other moving up the Brahmaputra valley, causing heavy rainfall in northeastern India and Meghalaya, where Mawsynram receives the highest average annual rainfall in the world. The Tamil Nadu coast remains dry during this season due to its location parallel to the Bay of Bengal branch and its position in the rain-shadow area of the Arabian Sea branch. The onset of the southwest monsoon is marked by the sudden burst of rains, starting over Kerala by 1st June and reaching Mumbai and Kolkata by mid-June to early July. The monsoon brings a substantial drop in temperature and is vital for agriculture and water resources in India.
📊 Diagram: Figure 4.2 : India : Normal Dates of Onset of the Southwest Monsoon; Figure 4.3 : India : Seasonal Rainfall (June-September)
🔗 Connection: Leads to the discussion of the retreating monsoon season and its characteristics.
Frequently asked questions
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below. (i) What causes rainfall on the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu in the beginning of winters? (a) South-West monsoon (b) Temperate cyclones (c) North-Eastern monsoon (d) Local air circulation (ii) What is the proportion of area of India which receives annual rainfall less than 75 cm? (a) Half (b) One-third (c) Two-third (d) Three-fourth (iii) Which one of the following is not a fact regarding South India? (a) Diurnal range of temperature is less here. (b) Annual range of temperature is less here. (c) Temperatures here are high throughout the year. (d) Extreme climatic conditions are found here. (iv) Which one of the following phenomenon happens when the sun shines vertically over the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere? (a) High pressure develops over North-western India due to low temperatures. (b) Low pressure develops over North-western India due to high temperatures. (c) No changes in temperature and pressure occur in north-western India. (d) 'Loo' blows in the North-western India.
1.(i) (c) North-Eastern monsoon causes rainfall on the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu in the beginning of winters because during this period, the North-East monsoon winds blow from the Bay of Bengal towards Tamil Nadu bringing rainfall.
1.(ii) (b) One-third of the area of India receives annual rainfall less than 75 cm. This is because large parts of western Rajasthan, Gujarat, and some parts of the Deccan plateau receive less rainfall.
1.(iii) (d) Extreme climatic conditions are found here is NOT
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words. (i) What is the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone? (ii) What is meant by 'bursting of monsoon'? Name the place of India which gets the highest rainfall. (iii) Which type(s) of cyclones cause rainfall in north-western India during winter? Where do they originate?
(i) The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a low-pressure belt near the equator where the trade winds of both hemispheres meet, causing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
(ii) 'Bursting of monsoon' refers to the sudden onset of heavy rainfall marking the arrival of the monsoon. Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall in India.
(iii) Temperate cyclones cause rainfall in north-western India during winter. They originate over the Mediterranean Sea and move eastwards bringing wi
3. Answer the following questions in not more than 125 words. (i) Notwithstanding the broad climatic unity, the climate of India has many regional variations. Elaborate this statement giving suitable examples. (ii) How many distinct seasons are found in India as per the Indian Meteorological Department? Discuss the weather conditions associated with any one season in detail.
(i) Although India has a broad climatic unity due to its location in the tropical zone, there are many regional variations caused by factors like altitude, distance from the sea, and relief features. For example, the Himalayan region experiences cold winters with snowfall, while the Thar Desert has extreme temperatures and scanty rainfall. Coastal areas have moderate temperatures and high humidity, whereas the interior regions experience more temperature variation.
(ii) The Indian Meteorologica
Project/Activity On the outline map of India, show the following: (i) Areas of winter rain (ii) Wind direction during the summer season (iii) Areas having less than 15° C temperature in January (iv) Isohyte of 100 cm.
This is a map-based activity. Students should mark:
(i) Areas of winter rain such as north-western India including Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Rajasthan.
(ii) Wind direction during the summer season showing south-west monsoon winds blowing from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal towards the Indian landmass.
(iii) Areas having less than 15°C temperature in January, mainly northern plains and Himalayan foothills.
(iv) Isohyte of 100 cm indicating regions receiving 100 cm annual rainfall, such
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