Geography of J&K — Climate
1. Introduction
- Weather: Day-to-day state of atmospheric conditions for a particular area (temperature, rainfall, humidity, etc.).
- Climate: Weather conditions that prevail over a large area and for a longer period of time.
- Climate deals with all meteorological elements — atmospheric pressure, humidity, precipitation, temperature, wind, latitude, altitude, and aspect of slope.
FOUR SEASONS
- Winter: December to February
- Pre-monsoon (Hot Weather): March to May
- Southwest Monsoon: June to September
- Post-monsoon: October to November
CLIMATIC ZONES
- 1. Sub-tropical Region of Jammu
- 2. The Temperate Kashmiri Valley
- 3. The Arctic Cold Desert areas of Ladakh
2. Climate of Jammu
- Jammu region has plains, valleys, hills, and mountains of Pir Panjal and Shivalik ranges.
- Climate varies greatly owing to its rugged topography.
- Southern parts reflect a humid Sub-tropical (Monsoon type) climate.
SUMMER
- Summers are hot with extreme highs reaching 46°C.
- Hot blowing wind called Loo.
- Nights are pleasant with cool wind called Dadu.
RAINFALL
- July to September receives very heavy and erratic rainfall with monthly extremes of up to 650 millimetres.
- Total annual rainfall: About 136 cm.
- Southwest monsoon contributes 68% of annual rainfall.
- Winter, pre-monsoon, and post-monsoon contribute 15%, 13%, and 4% respectively.
WINTER
- Winters are cold and foggy; temperature may dip to 3°C.
- January is the coldest month in the plains of Jammu.
- Temperature ranges between 5-10°C, mainly due to Western disturbances.
- Northern reaches experience frosty weather and snowfall.
3. Climate of Kashmir
- Kashmir Valley is situated between Pir Panjal and the western end of Great Himalayan ranges.
- These ranges stop monsoon wind from the southeast and south, and cold winds from Central Asia.
- The valley experiences a temperate climate.
RAINFALL
- Rains from the middle of March to mid-May.
- Total annual rainfall: About 86 cm.
- Pre-monsoon season contributes maximum rainfall 40%.
- Winter, southwest monsoon, and post-monsoon contribute 25%, 8%, and 27% respectively.
- In winter, winds from the Mediterranean cause snow and rain.
SEASONS
- Summer: Mild, from mid-March to June.
- Winter: Cold, from November to March (long duration).
- Weather is generally pleasant during April to June.
- Snow falls on the mountains surrounding the valley.
CHILLAI KALAN
- Chillai Kalan or Chille Kalan is the local name for intense cold waves in Kashmir and Ladakh.
- It is the coldest part of winter starting from 21 December to 31 January.
- Temperature during this period can dip down to -10 to -20°C.
- Followed by 20 days long Chillai-Bachha (baby cold) from February 20 to March.
4. Climate of Ladakh
- Ladakh experiences a very dry climate with cold desert conditions.
- Precipitation is mainly in the form of snowfall.
- Climate is very cold, arid, and dry.
KEY FACTS
- January is the coldest month.
- Lowest official surface temperature: -40°C at Drass in 1986.
- Unofficial lowest temperature: -50°C at Rangdum in January 1986.
- For about nine months (September to May), night temperature remains below freezing point at Leh.
- Skies remain clear, insolation is intense, and wind blows at a steady speed.
- Total annual rainfall: About 21 cm.
5. Koppen Climate Classification
KOPPEN CLIMATE TYPES
| Climate Type | Areas |
|---|---|
| Csa | Interior Mediterranean, mild winter, dry and hot summer — Kathua, Udhampur, parts of Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Ramban, Shopian, Srinagar |
| Cwa | Subtropical monsoon, mild and dry winter, hot summer — Jammu, Samba, parts of Poonch, Reasi, Rajouri |
| Cfa | Humid subtropical, mild winter, moist all seasons, long hot summer — parts of Doda, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Pulwama, Ramban |
| Cfb | Marine, mild winter, moist all seasons, warm summer — elevated areas of Ramban |
| Cwb | Tropical upland, mild winter, dry winter, short warm summer — high altitudinal areas of Rajouri, Reasi |
| Dfb | Humid continental, severe winter, moist all seasons, short warm summer — Badgam, high altitudinal areas of Anantnag, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Kulgam, Poonch, Pulwama, Shopian, Srinagar |
| Bwk | Mid-latitude desert arid cool/cold — high altitudinal areas of Kishtwar, Kargil, Leh |
| ET | Tundra and very short summer — high altitudinal peaks of Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Doda, Kishtwar, Kargil, Leh |
6. Seasons — Native Terms
SEASONS IN JAMMU, KASHMIR & LADAKH
| Season | Period | Jammu (Native) | Kashmir (Native) | Ladakh (Native) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 16 March – 15 May | Bahar | South | Spit |
| Summer | 16 May – 15 July | So'aa / Soha | Grishm | Yar |
| Rainy | 16 July – 15 Sept | Barsaant | Waharat | Season not found |
| Autumn | 16 Sept – 15 Nov | Patjhar | Harud | Ston |
| Winter | 16 Nov – 15 Jan | Syaala | Wandah | Goon |
| Ice Cold | 16 Jan – 15 March | Season not found | Shishur | Season not found |
7. Humidity
JAMMU REGION
- Morning relative humidity: 45% to 85%.
- April to June: 45% to 65% (driest part).
- Afternoon: 35% to 70%.
KASHMIR VALLEY
- Higher humidity than Jammu region.
- Morning: 60% to 90%.
- Afternoon: 50% to 85%.
LADAKH
- Driest part of the state.
- Humidity ranges between 25% and 50%.
- May to October: 25% and 40% (very hot and dry).
8. Rainfall
JAMMU REGION
- Total annual rainfall: About 136 cm.
- Southwest monsoon: 68%.
- Winter: 15%; Pre-monsoon: 13%; Post-monsoon: 4%.
- Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar receive maximum rainfall in winter and pre-monsoon.
KASHMIR VALLEY
- Total annual rainfall: About 86 cm.
- Pre-monsoon: 40% (maximum).
- Winter: 25%; Post-monsoon: 27%; Southwest monsoon: 8%.
- Heavy rain and snow in winter and pre-monsoon due to Western disturbances.
LADAKH
- Total annual rainfall: About 21 cm.
- Southwest monsoon: 32%; Post-monsoon: 10%; Winter: 29%.
METEOROLOGICAL CENTRE
- Regional Meteorological Centre: Srinagar
- 12 designated stations: Nagaon, Pahalgam, Kokernag, Gulmarg, Qazigund, Kupwara, Jammu, Banihal, Kathua, Bhadarwah, Katra
9. JKSSB Previous Year Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1. The hot blowing wind in Jammu region is called:
- A) Dadu
- B) Loo
- C) Western Disturbance
- D) Chillai Kalan
Q2. The cool wind at night in Jammu is called:
- A) Dadu
- B) Loo
- C) Western Disturbance
- D) Chillai Kalan
Q3. The coldest month in the plains of Jammu is:
- A) December
- B) January
- C) February
- D) November
Q4. The total annual rainfall in Jammu region is about:
-
<
- A) 86 cm
- B) 136 cm
- C) 21 cm
- D) 100 cm
Q5. The total annual rainfall in Kashmir valley is about:
- A) 86 cm
- B) 136 cm
- C) 21 cm
- D) 100 cm
Q6. The total annual rainfall in Ladakh is about:
- A) 86 cm
- B) 136 cm
- C) 21 cm
- D) 50 cm
Q7. Chillai Kalan starts on:
- A) 15 December
- B) 21 December
- C) 1 January
- D) 31 January
Q8. The lowest official surface temperature in Ladakh was recorded at:
- A) Leh
- B) Drass
- C) Kargil
- D) Zanskar
Q9. The lowest official surface temperature in Ladakh was recorded in:
- A) 1976
- B) 1986
- C) 1996
- D) 2006
Q10. The Regional Meteorological Centre for J&K is located at:
- A) Jammu
- B) Srinagar
- C) Leh
- D) Kathua
Q11. The native term for Spring in Kashmir is:
- A) Bahar
- B) South
- C) Spit
- D) Grishm
Q12. The native term for Autumn in Jammu is:
- A) Bahar
- B) Patjhar
- C) Harud
- D) Ston
Q13. The native term for Winter in Ladakh is:
- A) Syaala
- B) Wandah
- C) Goon
- D) Shishur
Q14. The Koppen climate type 'Cwa' is found in:
- A) Kathua
- B) Jammu and Samba
- C) Badgam
- D) Kargil
Q15. The Koppen climate type 'Bwk' is found in:
- A) Kathua
- B) Jammu
- C) Kargil and Leh
- D) Srinagar
10. Summary: Climate of J&K at a Glance
| Region | Climate Type | Annual Rainfall | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jammu | Sub-tropical (Monsoon) | 136 cm | Loo (hot wind), Dadu (cool wind); January coldest |
| Kashmir Valley | Temperate | 86 cm | Chillai Kalan; Western disturbances; pleasant summers |
| Ladakh | Cold Desert (Arid) | 21 cm | Drass (-40°C); extremely dry; clear skies |
Key Takeaways for JKSSB & UPSC
- Jammu: Loo (hot wind), Dadu (cool wind); January coldest; 136 cm rainfall
- Kashmir: Temperate climate; Chillai Kalan (21 Dec - 31 Jan); Western disturbances; 86 cm rainfall
- Ladakh: Cold desert; Drass -40°C (1986); 21 cm rainfall
- Chillai Kalan: Intense cold wave; -10 to -20°C
- Chillai-Bachha: 20-day baby cold from 20 Feb to March
- Regional Meteorological Centre: Srinagar
- Koppen Climate Types: Csa, Cwa, Cfa, Cfb, Cwb, Dfb, Bwk, ET
- Season Native Terms: Jammu (Bahar, So'aa, Barsaant, Patjhar, Syaala), Kashmir (South, Grishm, Waharat, Harud, Wandah, Shishur), Ladakh (Spit, Yar, Ston, Goon)
High-Yield Interactive UPSC & JKSSB Quiz (Climate of J&K)
Q1. The hot blowing wind in Jammu region is called:
Correct Answer: B. The hot blowing wind in Jammu region is called Loo. The cool wind at night is called Dadu.
Q2. The total annual rainfall in Kashmir valley is about:
Correct Answer: B. The total annual rainfall in Kashmir valley is about 86 cm. Jammu receives about 136 cm, and Ladakh receives about 21 cm.
Q3. Chillai Kalan starts on:
Correct Answer: B. Chillai Kalan starts on 21 December and lasts until 31 January. It is the coldest part of winter with temperatures dipping to -10 to -20°C.
Q4. The lowest official surface temperature in Ladakh was recorded at:
Correct Answer: B. The lowest official surface temperature in Ladakh was recorded at Drass in 1986 at -40°C.
Q5. The Regional Meteorological Centre for J&K is located at:
Correct Answer: B. The Regional Meteorological Centre is located at Srinagar. It maintains 12 designated stations across J&K.
Q6. The native term for Summer in Jammu is:
Correct Answer: B. The native term for Summer in Jammu is So'aa / Soha. In Kashmir it is Grishm, and in Ladakh it is Yar.
Q7. The Koppen climate type 'Cwa' is found in:
Correct Answer: B. The Koppen climate type 'Cwa' (subtropical monsoon, mild and dry winter, hot summer) is found in Jammu and Samba, and parts of Poonch, Reasi, and Rajouri.
Q8. The native term for Winter in Kashmir is:
Correct Answer: B. The native term for Winter in Kashmir is Wandah. In Jammu it is Syaala, and in Ladakh it is Goon.
Q9. The Koppen climate type 'Bwk' is found in:
Correct Answer: C. The Koppen climate type 'Bwk' (mid-latitude desert arid cool/cold) is found in high altitudinal areas of Kishtwar, Kargil, and Leh.
Q10. Chillai Kalan is followed by:
Correct Answer: B. Chillai Kalan is followed by Chillai-Bachha (baby cold), which is 20 days long from February 20 to March.