Climate of Himachal Pradesh.

Map of Climate of Himachal Pradesh.

32 degree North Latitude cut the state of Himachal Pradesh roughly in two equal parts. From latitudinal point of view state fall in Temperate/Subtropical zone. However Altitude of Himalaya produce vast majority of micro climatic region.

Factor Controlling the Climate of Himachal Pradesh.

Climate of a place depends primarily on Latitude, Altitude , Physiography, Distance from sea, Planetary wind directions etc.

Horse Latitude which is famous for subsidizing planetary winds and formation of vast desert, flow just south of state. Towering Himalaya nullified its effects.
Altitude of State vary from low laying Una Plains( 300 Mtrs) and Shivalik hills(800 Mtr) to Greater Himalaya (6000 Mtr). Such sharp difference in short distance produce many micro climate region, which some time are very hard to document.
Distance of Himachal Pradesh from Arabian Sea is roughly 1200 Km and from Bay Bengal roughly 1500 Km, thus ocean effect the climate of state only in forms of Monsoon.
Although Himachal Pradesh Fall under Westerly wind influence, in summer South West monsoon dominate the climate of State.

Effect of Altitude on Climate of Himachal Pradesh:

Normal Lapse rate is ~6.5 °C/1000 m (average troposphere condition).Which mean there is fall of 6.5 Degree per Kilometer. Which mean if the foothill of a mountain has warm climate , it will have Cold climate at high altitude. Further it will also play key role in rainfall pattern and daily winds direction. For Example- Una has different Climate than Bharwain, Kangra has different Climate than Macleodganj, similar Paonta Sahib have different Climate than Shillai.

Role of Physiography in Climate of Himachal:-

Height of Mountain , shape of valley and Slope of Mountain all to some extent influence the climate. Greater Himalaya which prevent the advancement of South West monsoon deep into the Higher Himalaya is classic example of effect of Physiography effect on regional climate. Greater Himalaya Divide the Monsoonal Himalaya from Desert Himalaya.

Sometime river valley helps the monsoonal wind to enter the inner valley and Shape the climate. Satluj Valley in Kinnaur is good example( Look at Below given map)
Now we will discuss the Slope. Windward slope has different climate that Leeward. Climate of Manali is differnt from Lahaul. Similarly Steep Slope Produce Strong orographic effect and cause rainfall i.e Dharamshala etc .

Discussion of Climatic Region of Himachal Pradesh:

Koppen has classified the Climate on the basis of Precipitation and temperature. Symbol A denote the Tropical Climate, B- Dry Climate, C- Temperate Climate, D- Continental Climate and E- Polar Climate.