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Climate of UP — Seasons & Rainfall
Subtropical monsoon climate of Uttar Pradesh — three seasons, rainfall gradient, temperature extremes, Loo winds, fog, and climate change impacts for UPSSSC AGTA.
Introduction
Uttar Pradesh has a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by hot summers, a distinct rainy season, and cool winters. The state’s large east-west extent (~650 km) and north-south variation create significant climatic differences across regions.
Three Seasons of UP
| Season | Hindi Name | Months | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (ग्रीष्म) | गर्मी | March – June | Extreme heat; Loo winds |
| Monsoon / Rainy (वर्षा) | बरसात | July – September | SW monsoon; bulk of annual rain |
| Winter (शीत) | सर्दी / जाड़ा | October – February | Cold waves; dense fog |
Summer Season (March – June)
Temperature Pattern
| Month | Western UP | Eastern UP | Bundelkhand |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 30–35°C | 28–33°C | 32–37°C |
| April | 36–40°C | 34–38°C | 38–42°C |
| May | 40–45°C | 36–42°C | 42–47°C |
| June | 40–46°C | 36–40°C | 44–48°C |
Loo Winds (लू)
- Hot, dry westerly winds that blow across the plains from May to mid-June
- Originate from the Thar Desert (Rajasthan) and travel eastward
- Temperature during Loo can exceed 45°C
- Most severe in western UP and Bundelkhand (Agra, Jhansi, Banda)
- Health hazard — causes heatstroke and dehydration
- Intensity decreases as winds move eastward due to moisture gain
Heat Wave Records
| Location | Notable Temperature | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Banda | ~48°C | Among the hottest in UP |
| Jhansi | ~47°C | Consistently extreme summers |
| Agra | ~46°C | Western UP heat belt |
| Lucknow | ~44°C | Central UP |
| Gorakhpur | ~42°C | Eastern UP (relatively cooler) |
Monsoon / Rainy Season (July – September)
The Southwest Monsoon (दक्षिण-पश्चिम मानसून) is the primary source of rainfall in UP. It enters UP from the southeast (Bay of Bengal branch) and gradually covers the entire state by mid-July.
Monsoon Arrival
| Event | Approximate Date |
|---|---|
| Monsoon reaches eastern UP | Mid-June |
| Covers entire UP | Early to mid-July |
| Monsoon withdrawal begins | Mid-September (western UP first) |
| Complete withdrawal | Early October |
Rainfall Distribution — East to West Gradient
This is one of the most important exam facts about UP’s climate:
| Region | Annual Rainfall | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern UP (Gorakhpur, Bahraich) | 150–170 cm | Highest — closer to monsoon source |
| Central UP (Lucknow, Kanpur) | 100–120 cm | Moderate |
| Western UP (Agra, Mathura) | 84–90 cm | Lowest — monsoon weakens westward |
| Bundelkhand (Jhansi, Banda) | 75–100 cm | Erratic; drought-prone |
Rainfall decreases from east to west — this gradient is a frequently asked exam fact.
Monsoon Characteristics
- ~75–85% of annual rainfall occurs during monsoon months
- Distribution is uneven — causes both floods (east) and droughts (Bundelkhand)
- Break monsoon periods (dry spells within monsoon) can severely damage Kharif crops
- Eastern UP rivers (Ghaghra, Rapti, Gandak) flood regularly during heavy monsoon years
Winter Season (October – February)
Temperature Pattern
| Month | Western UP | Eastern UP | Bundelkhand |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 18–22°C | 20–24°C | 19–23°C |
| December | 12–17°C | 14–18°C | 13–17°C |
| January | 3–15°C | 6–17°C | 5–16°C |
| February | 8–20°C | 10–22°C | 9–21°C |
Winter Rainfall (Mahawat / मावठ)
- Caused by Western Disturbances (extratropical cyclones from the Mediterranean)
- Brings 5–10% of annual rainfall
- Occurs mainly in January–February
- Called “Mahawat” locally
- Extremely beneficial for Rabi crops (wheat, mustard, gram)
Dense Fog (कोहरा)
- December and January bring dense fog across the Gangetic Plain
- Visibility drops to near zero in severe episodes
- Major disruptions to road, rail, and air transport
- Delhi-Lucknow-Varanasi corridor most affected
- Causes crop damage — delays wheat flowering, promotes fungal diseases
Cold Waves (शीत लहर)
- Occur when cold air from Central Asia pushes southward
- Minimum temperatures can drop to 1–3°C in western UP
- Districts most affected: Meerut, Agra, Muzaffarnagar, Lucknow
- IMD issues cold wave warnings when temperature drops 4.5°C below normal
Climate Data Summary Table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate type | Subtropical Monsoon (Cwa — Koppen) |
| Annual rainfall range | 84 cm (west) to 170 cm (east) |
| Hottest month | May–June |
| Coldest month | January |
| Highest recorded temp | ~48°C (Banda region) |
| Lowest recorded temp | ~1°C (western UP, January) |
| Monsoon months | July–September |
| Winter rain name | Mahawat (from Western Disturbances) |
Climate Change Impacts on UP
| Impact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rising temperatures | Average temperature increasing by ~0.5°C per decade |
| Erratic monsoon | More intense but shorter spells — higher flood risk |
| Heat waves | Frequency and duration increasing, especially Bundelkhand |
| Groundwater stress | Faster depletion due to higher evapotranspiration |
| Crop vulnerability | Wheat yields projected to decline with rising temperatures |
Key Takeaways
- UP has a subtropical monsoon climate with 3 seasons: Summer, Monsoon, Winter
- Loo winds blow from the Thar Desert; most severe in western UP and Bundelkhand
- Rainfall gradient: east (170 cm) to west (84 cm) — critical exam fact
- Monsoon brings 75–85% of annual rain; enters from southeast in mid-June
- Winter rain (Mahawat) from Western Disturbances benefits Rabi crops
- Dense fog in Dec–Jan disrupts transport across the Gangetic Plain
- Banda/Jhansi record the highest temperatures; western UP the coldest winters
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Term | Quick Recall |
|---|---|
| Climate type | Subtropical Monsoon (Cwa) |
| Loo winds | Hot, dry westerly; May–June; from Thar |
| Hottest areas | Banda, Jhansi (~47–48°C) |
| Highest rainfall | Eastern UP (150–170 cm) |
| Lowest rainfall | Western UP, Agra belt (84–90 cm) |
| Monsoon entry | Mid-June (eastern UP first) |
| Monsoon share | 75–85% of annual rain |
| Mahawat | Winter rain from Western Disturbances |
| Fog months | December–January |
| Coldest temp | ~1–3°C in western UP (January) |
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