Adventure Tourism.org

Climate of Himalayas

Climate of Himalayas :- The Himalayas influences the climate of the Indian subcontinent by sheltering it from the cold air mass of Central Asia. The range also exerts a major influence on monsoon and rainfall patterns. Within the Himalayas climate varies depending on elevation and location.

Climate ranges from subtropical in the southern foothills, with average summer temperatures of about 30° C (about 86° F) and average winter temperatures of about 18° C (about 64° F); warm temperate conditions in the Middle Himalayan valleys, with average summer temperatures of about 25° C (about 77° F) and cooler winters; cool temperate conditions in the higher parts of the Middle Himalayas, where average summer temperatures are 15 to 18° C (59 to 64° F) and winters are below freezing; to a cold alpine climate at higher elevations, where summers are cool and winters are severe.

At elevations above 4880 m (16,000 ft) the climate is very cold with below freezing temperatures and the area is permanently covered with snow and ice. The eastern part of the Himalayas receives heavy rainfall; the western part is drier.

It varies from The Tropical monsoon in south India to temperate in north India. India is such a vast country that the climate varies considerably. While the heat is unbearable in the Gangetic plain, the people of Ladakh shiver in the snowy cold.The Indian year passes through four seasons. Winter lasts from December to February, and summer from March to May.

The rainy season of Southwest monsoon is from June to September. The post monsoon season, which is North East monsoon in South India, is in October and November. The most pleasant weather in India lasts from June to November.

There is a heavy rainfall in Northeastern region, the western slopes of the Western Ghats and parts of the Himalayas during the year. On the other hands, there is hardly any rainfall in Rajasthan, Kutch, and Laddakh. There is medium or average rainfall in other parts of the country.

Upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south India, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in western region of India, Himalayas in northern region. India is a vast country covering an area of 32,87,782 sq. km. The Himalayas, stretching from east to west in the north, form the northern boundary. The mighty mountain ranges separate India from China and Nepal. Where the Himalayan ranges end, there begin the great northern plains, are flat.

They are drained by a number of rivers, the Ganga being the most important of them all. The Brahmaputra is another major north Indian river. The Indus (Sindh) flows in the north-west direction. The Deccan plateaus, south of the plains, have ranges of hills along the eastern and western coasts of the peninsula.

The Krishna and the Godavari are the major rivers of the south. There are ranges of hills even in the north-east. In the west the plains of the Punjab merge into the Thar Desert. That is why India has rich variety of landscapes and climates.

Himalayan Coverage Area: 2,250-km

Average Width: 200-km

Himalayan Forests: Pine, Deodar, Fir, Oak, Rhododendron, Birch

Monsoon Season: Mid-June Till The End Of September



Climate of Himalayas, Discover Himalayas Reservation Form

(* represents compulsory fields) * Name :   *Your Country :   * Phone : (Include Country/Area Code)   * E-Mail Address :   * Tentative Date of Travel:   Duration of Travel in India (Approx.):   No. of People Travelling:   00 01 02 03 04 05 Adult       00 01 02 03 04 05 Children * Any specific requirements:

Discover Himalayas

Climate of Himalayas --» History of Himalayas --» People & Tribes of Himalayas --» Rivers of Himalayas --» Religions in Himalayas