Explain the various factors affecting the climate of Rajasthan…

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  1. Temperature:
    The temperature sometimes falls below the freezing point in Raj at Ganganagar & Bikaner 2.8ºC. In summer temperature rises above 40ºC Maximum temperature reading 50ºC at Marusthali in Ganganagar.
    The mean maximum temperature in My and June is about 45ºC and mean minimum about 23ºC over a large part of Rajasthan. December and January is the coldest month, the mean monthly temperature being 12.9ºC
  2. Rainfall:
    Rainfall is very low highly erratic and variable throughout the Rajasthan plain mean Annual Rainfall is from 10 cm to 40 cm on eastern edge of Indo-Pak border.
    Rainfall decreases from East to West and from South West to North East.
    Most of rains occurs in the rainy months of July and August. July to September the three monsoonal months provide 75% to 90% of annual total rainfall. There are years in the heart of Marusthalil where no rainfall occurs.
  3. Humidity:
    The highest mean relative humidity is found in months from July to September. It varies between 55% to 70% from March and May. It is lowest varying from 30% to 40% in general.
    The mean cloud formation is highest in July and August, varying from 2 to 6. October is cloud free month.
  4. Dust Storms:
    Dust storms are common which suddenly bring down the temperature, causing occasional showers. These storms decrease in no. and intensity towards east.
    Ganganagar has on an average 27 days of dust storms during a year, 18 days in Bikaner and 8 days in Jodhpur.
    Maximum no. of dust storms occur in June in North West and in May in South and South East.
  5. Thunder Storms:
    Thunder storms show a reverse tuned of spatial distribution. Jodhpur experience 25 days of T.S. in a year and Barmer, Bikaner only 10 days.
  6. Wind
    The wind blows from west and south west during the hot and rainy season with high velocity.
    Climatically, the year in Rajasthan, has been divided into three major conventional seasons.

The Hot-Weather Season:

Month- Start in March and prevails from April to June
Maximum Temp- 40ºC to 45ºC
Humidity- Decrease by 1%
Dust storm- For 27 days in Ganga nagar 8 days in Jodhpur
Pressure- Falls over heated land
Winds- Dry to warm in April and winds flow from west to east.
Rainfall- Sometime sudden rainfall in this season due to dust storm
Day- Intense heat and glare during the day
Night- Nights even cool in summer
Sun is almost overhead from April to May.

 

Certainly! The climate of Rajasthan is generally classified as arid to semi-arid, with extreme temperatures, low and irregular rainfall, and high evaporation. Various geographical, topographical, and meteorological factors influence the climate of this vast state.

🌦️ Major Factors Affecting the Climate of Rajasthan

🗺️ 1. Latitude and Location

  • Rajasthan lies between 23.3°N to 30.12°N latitude, which places it in the subtropical region.
  • Being close to the Tropic of Cancer, it experiences intense solar radiation, leading to high temperatures, especially in summer.

⛰️ 2. Aravalli Mountain Range

  • The Aravalli Hills run from southwest to northeast, bisecting the state.
  • These mountains do not act as an effective barrier to the monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea.
  • Thus, western Rajasthan (e.g., Jaisalmer, Bikaner) receives less rainfall, while eastern Rajasthan (e.g., Kota, Bharatpur) gets more rainfall.

💨 3. Distance from the Sea (Continentality)

  • Rajasthan is a landlocked state, far from any major water body.
  • This results in a continental type of climate, with extreme summers and winters (hot days, cold nights).

💧 4. Rainfall and Monsoon Influence

  • Southwest monsoon is the main source of rainfall (June to September).
  • However, due to Aravallis’ alignment and the desert region in the west, the distribution is uneven:
    • West Rajasthan: 100–300 mm
    • East Rajasthan: 500–1000 mm
  • Rainfall is often erratic and uneven, leading to frequent droughts.

☀️ 5. Temperature Extremes

  • Summer: Can reach up to 50°C (e.g., Phalodi, Barmer).
  • Winter: Can drop below 0°C in some places (e.g., Mount Abu).
  • This large diurnal and seasonal temperature variation is a key climatic feature.

🌬️ 6. Hot and Dry Winds (Loo)

  • During peak summer (May–June), hot, dry winds called “Loo” blow across the region, especially in western Rajasthan.
  • These winds increase evaporation and heat stress.

🏜️ 7. Desert Topography

  • The Thar Desert covers a large part of western Rajasthan.
  • Sand dunes and loose soils absorb and radiate heat quickly, causing high daytime temperatures and cooler nights.
  • Desertification and lack of vegetation further intensify the arid climate.

🌳 8. Vegetation Cover

  • Sparse vegetation and deforestation in many areas reduce moisture retention and influence microclimates.
  • Forested areas like Mount Abu and parts of southern Rajasthan (Udaipur, Banswara) have a more moderate climate.

📉 9. Altitude

  • Higher altitudes, such as Mount Abu (1722 m), have cooler temperatures compared to low-lying desert regions.
  • Altitude affects temperature, humidity, and precipitation.

🌪️ 10. Western Disturbances

  • These are cyclonic systems coming from the Mediterranean region during winter.
  • They bring light rain and cold waves to northern Rajasthan, especially Bikaner, Ganganagar, and Jaipur divisions.

📌 Summary Table

Factor Impact on Climate
Latitude High solar radiation, hot summers
Aravalli Range Uneven rainfall distribution
Distance from Sea Extreme temperature variations (continentality)
Monsoon Winds Erratic, low rainfall especially in the west
Desert Region (Thar) Aridity, heat waves, sandstorms
Hot Winds (Loo) Increase heat and evaporation
Altitude Cooler in hilly areas (e.g., Mount Abu)
Vegetation Sparse cover → higher heat, less humidity
Western Disturbances (winter) Cold waves and light winter rains in north-west areas

✅ Conclusion:

Rajasthan’s climate is shaped by a combination of natural geographic factors like deserts, hills, latitude, and monsoon behavior. The result is a hot, dry, and variable climate, especially challenging for agriculture and water management.

Would you like this information in diagram form, a climate map, or quiz-based questions for practice?

Explain the various factors affecting the climate of Rajasthan…

Rajasthan State Action Plan on Climate Change

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