October heat
Topic: Climate of India and the Monsoon · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 4 "Climate"
Meaning
October heat is the hot, sticky weather of October, when the monsoon retreats. As the monsoon trough (the low-pressure belt that brings rain) moves south, the skies clear and temperatures rise. The land is still wet from the rains, so the high temperature and high humidity come together. This makes the weather oppressive, meaning very hard to bear. It ends in the second half of October, when temperatures start to fall, mainly in north India.
Example
In the northern plains, the monsoon has gone by the end of September. Early October then brings clear skies, a strong sun and damp, steamy air. The weather becomes cooler and more pleasant only in the second half of the month.
Don't confuse with
- Loo: a hot, dry afternoon wind that blows over the northern plains in May-June, before the monsoon. October heat is humid and comes after the monsoon.