WEATHER
India, in general, has a hot tropical climate with both the Tropic
of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn passing through her. However
the climatic conditions show variations from region to region.
The climate becomes cold from November to mid-March, and the mornings
and evenings are cool and fresh and the days are warm and sunny.
From April to June, the climate becomes really hot and the days
become dry and hot with occasional dust storms. June marks the
onset of monsoons that lasts in most regions till September.
WESTERN
HIMALAYAS:
Srinagar located in Northern India, has the best climate from
March to October. However the winters are extremely cold and
damp. Nearby places like Pahalgam, Gulmarg usually experience
moderate to heavy snowfall during the winter season from December
to March. Shimla and Manali, in Himachal Pradesh, are located
at higher altitudes and are therefore much colder during winter.
Both these places experience moderate to heavy snowfall during
the winter season. At even higher altitudes lie Leh and Ladakh.
Leh is famous for Khardungla Pass, which is the Highest Motorable
Road in the world. The temperatures can drop to sub-zero levels
in winters, which are extremely cold. Also because of the high
altitudes and low temperatures, oxygen is slightly scarce in
the atmosphere. The road to Leh is open from July to October.
Required
Clothing for Western Himalayas:
Light clothes from March to October with occasional light woolens
depending on temperature. Heavy woolens for winter. Since the
climate can change rapidly in the mountains it is therefore
very important to be suitably equipped.
NORTHERN
PLAINS:
The northern plains have characteristic extreme climatic conditions
with the inland regions having hot nights and days during the
summer season from April to mid June. However during the winter
season, from November to February, the days are warm and temperatures
during nighttime can fall sub-zero levels. The onset of monsoons
is from June and lasts till September.
Required clothing- Light clothes from March to October with
occasional light woolens depending on temperature. Heavy woolens
for winter. Raincoats and umbrellas during monsoons.
CENTRAL
INDIA:
The summer season is characterized by hot days and nights whereas
during the winter season the days are warm and sunny and nights
are very cold. July marks the onset of monsoons, which last
till September. Required clothing: : Light clothes from March
to October. Heavy woolens for winter. Raincoats and umbrellas
during monsoons.
WESTERN
INDIA:
The regions of western India have a predominantly coastal climate
because of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Kutch. The days and
night are hot and humid during the summer season. Monsoon strikes
in July and lasts till September. From October onwards, the
climate becomes cool and in some regions an occasional woolen
is required. Generally the climate is pleasant even during winter
season.
Required
Clothing for Western India:
Light clothes throughout the year with occasional woolens in
some regions. Raincoats and umbrellas during monsoons.
SOUTHWEST
INDIA:
This region also has a predominantly coastal climate because
of the Arabian Sea towards the west and the Indian Ocean to
the South. The climate is most pleasant from November to March.
The summers are not as hot as northern regions but the humidity
is extreme. Monsoon strikes between late April and July. The
coastal areas experience the cool sea breezes. The inland areas
and cities like Mysore and Bijapur have a pleasant climate with
relatively low rainfall.
Required
Clothing for South West India:
Light clothes throughout the year with occasional woolens in
some regions. Raincoats and umbrellas during monsoons.
SOUTHEAST
INDIA:
Southeast India has a characteristic coastal climate because
of the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Indian Ocean to the
South. The state of Tamil Nadu has warm summers with high humidity
and pleasant winters. It experiences northeast monsoon between
October and December. The hill stations like Ooty and Kodaikanal
can be cold in winter. Hyderabad is hot but less humid in summer
and much cooler in winter.
Required
Clothing for South East India:
Light clothes throughout the year with occasional woolens in
some regions like hill stations etc. Raincoats and umbrellas
during monsoons.
The
summer months (April - June ) are hot in most parts of India.
This is the season to visit the summer resorts of Shimla, Mussoorie,
Nainital, Kufri and Kashmir valley, Darjeeling, Shilong, Ootacamund,
Kodaikanal, Pachmarhi and Mount Abu.
The
winter months ( November - March) are pleasant throughout India
with bright sunny days. Winter is more severe in the northern
plains, and in the foot hills of the Himalayas, while the southern,
eastern and western zones of India, remain pleasantly cool.
The
monsoons break at the beginning of June on the Southwest coast
of India, and gradually break at all parts of the country, except
south-eastern areas. These areas receive most of their rainfall
between mid-October and end-December.
