Climate of Jammu and Kashmir
Climate of Jammu and kashmir
Climate : Climate can be defined as the average weather conditions at a specific place over a long period of time, more than 30 years, while the conditions of the atmosphere at any place at a particular period of time is known as Weather.
Jammu and Kashmir is situated in the sub tropical region and its climate to a greater extent is influenced by its mountainous nature. Duw to different orographic features and snow clad peaks the climate of Jammu and Kashmir resembles to a greater extent with temperate latitudes.
However, the two regions of J&k wiz, Jammu division and Kashmir valley have different climate conditions from each other.
General climate prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir can be studied as under :
Climate of Jammu Division :
- The climate conditions prevailing over Jammu region vary from one part to another.
- The climate of southern parts of the jammu division i.e southern plains and adjoining shivaliks correspond to the climate of punjab with hot summers coupled with monsoon rains and cool winters.
- On the other hand, the climate of mountainous tracts and lee ward slopes resembles the climate of Kashmir valley.
- Seasonal winds, i.e the monsoon (Barsaat) have their impact on the climate of Jammu region.
- On the basis of distribution of annual rainfall and temprature, a year in this region has been divided into three seasons.
Seasons of the Jammu division
- Winter (cold weather) November to Feb.
- Summer (Hot weather) March to June.
- Rainy season june to October.
1). Winter Season in jammu : in this season the cold month is January. Mist and Fog are a common during this month.
From February, the temperature begins to rise and the atmosphere becomes pleasant giving start to spring season.
During winter season. Westerly winds also called 'temperate cyclones' cause rainfall in Jammu region. These winds originate from Mediterranean Sea.
2). Summer Season in jammu : From March onwards there is abrupt rise in the temperature of Jammu which reaches upto its maximum in the month of May and June when it often rises to above 38°c.
During the summer season hot dry winds called Loo blow which add to thr affliction of the people.
Sometimes dust storm blow which brings about light drizzle.
3).Rainy season in jammu : From the middle of June monsoons begin to arrive in Jammu.
Monsoon rains brings down the temperature, but humidity remains quit high which makes the weather quite oppressive.
Average rainfall during rainy season is 65 cm.
Climate of Kashmir :
Kashmir region has a continental type of climate. The Himalayan range which covers the valley, has modified its climate to a great extent.
Thus the valley possesses a sub- tropical to Arctic type of climate, having long winters and short summers.
Based on the average temperature and rainfall, a year in kashmir is divided into four seasons.
- Winter (Nov - Feb)
- Spring (March - May)
- Summer ( May - sept)
- Autumn (sept- October)
Winter Seasons in kashmir :
winter season in kashmir is the coldest of the year. From November the temperature begins to fall and it reaches to minimum in January, when sometimes it drops even up to minus degree Celcius.
Heavy Snowfall occurs during this season, maximum being in the month of January.
January is the Coldest month in kashmir, which is locally known as the period of (Chilai kalaan) chilai kalaan is the 40 days of intensive cold.
The average snowfall in winter is about 120 cms. The winter precipitation mainly occurs from western disturbances ( temperate cyclones, originating from Mediterranean sea.
In winter the sunshine goes low and relative humidity remains about 90% .
Spring Season in kashmir :
spring season in kashmir is locally known as 'Sonth'. It starts in March, when the temperature rises gradually and snow starts melting.
The day temperature fluctuates the valley receives its maximum rains during this season.
Summer Season in kashmir :
The summer season in kashmir is locally known as 'bahaar'. Summer season in kashmir starts from Middle of May.
During this season, the temperature goes up and days become very hot and humid.
July is the hottest month in kashmir. In which the temperature goes maximum.
Autumn season in kashmir :
Autumn season in kashmir is locally known as 'harud' it starts from Mid September to October. It is generally a static season as there are minimum weather disturbance.
There is little rainfall in this season and temperature falls gradually. Most striking feature of this season is the flowering of Saffron.
During Autumn, people of the valley remain busy in storing food and fuel for winter months to come.
The Climate of kashmir valley can also be .divided into six seasons of two months each.
Season Local name term period.
Spring / sonth / Mid March to Mid may
Summer / Retkol / Mid may to Mid July.
Rainy / waharat / Mid july to Mid sept.
Autumn /Harudh / Mid Sept to Mid Nov.
Winter /wandeh/ Mid Nov to Mid Jan.
Ice cold /sheshur / Mid Jan to Mid March