Question

Study the climatic data for cities A and B given below and answer the questions that follow:

City A
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temperature °C	15.4	19.5	24.9	29.6	31.5	31.7	30	29.8	29.2	27.1	22.3	17.2
Rainfall mm	11	14	10	13	45	165	355	280	200	50	7	6

 

City B
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temperature °C	24	26	29	30.8	32	31.6	30	29.6	29.6	28.6	26.4	24.2
Rainfall mm	10	12	11	20	65	120	130	160	200	210	90	8

1. Calculate the annual rainfall for both cities.
2. Where are the two cities located? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer 1

(i)

For City A, monthly rainfall (mm) is:

11 + 14 + 10 + 13 + 45 + 165 + 355 + 280 + 200 + 50 + 7 + 6

= 1156 mm.

For City B, monthly rainfall (mm) is:

10 + 12 + 11 + 20 + 65 + 120 + 130 + 160 + 200 + 210 + 90 + 8

= 1036 mm.

So,

Annual rainfall for City A = 1156 mm

Annual rainfall for City B = 1036 mm

(ii)

• City A is likely located in an inland region of India, such as Delhi.
  Reasons: It exhibits a continental climate with a large annual temperature range (cool winters, hot summers). The vast majority of its rainfall occurs during the southwest monsoon season (June to September), with almost no rain in the winter months (November to April).
• City B is likely located on the east coast of India, such as Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
  Reasons: It has an equable or maritime climate with a very low annual temperature range, indicating a coastal influence. It receives significant rainfall during the months of October and November from the retreating monsoon (Northeast Monsoon).