Editing Climate of India (section)

===Arid and semi-arid regions=== 
[[arid climate|Arid]] and [[semi-arid]] climate dominates regions where the rate of moisture loss through [[evapotranspiration]] exceeds that from precipitation;

A semi-arid steppe climate ([[Semi-arid climate#Hot semi-arid climates|hot semi-arid climate]]) predominates over a long stretch of land south of Tropic of Cancer and east of the [[Western Ghats]] and the [[Cardamom Hills]]. The region, which includes [[Karnataka]], inland [[Tamil Nadu]], western [[Andhra Pradesh]], and central [[Maharashtra]], gets between {{Convert|400|and|750|mm|1}} annually. It is drought-prone, as it tends to have less reliable rainfall due to sporadic lateness or failure of the southwest monsoon.{{Sfn|Caviedes|2001|p=124}} Karnataka is divided into three zones—coastal, north interior and south interior. Of these, the coastal zone receives the most precipitation, averaging {{convert|3,638.5|mm|in|1|adj=ri0|abbr=on}} per annum, far in excess of the state average of {{convert|1139|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}. In contrast to norm, [[Agumbe]] in the Shivamogga district receives the second highest annual rainfall in India. North of the [[Krishna River]], the summer monsoon is responsible for most rainfall; to the south, significant post-monsoon rainfall also occurs in October and November. In December, the coldest month, temperatures still average around {{Convert|20|–|24|C|F}}. The months between March and May are hot and dry; mean monthly temperatures hover around {{convert|32|C|F|0|abbr=on}}, with {{Convert|320|mm|in|1}} precipitation. Hence, without artificial irrigation, this region is not suitable for permanent agriculture.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

[[File:Thar Desert Sunset Rajasthan India.jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=View of dunes at sunset. The setting sun hangs low and dim in a sky graded from fiery orange at top to maroon near the horizon. Terrestrial features are difficult to discern in the crepuscular illumination.|The [[Thar Desert]]]]

Most of western [[Rajasthan]] experiences an arid climatic regime ([[Desert climate#Hot desert climates|hot desert climate]]). [[Cloudburst]]s are responsible for virtually all of the region's annual precipitation, which totals less than {{Convert|300|mm|in|1}}. Such bursts happen when monsoon winds sweep into the region during July, August, and September. Such rainfall is highly erratic; regions experiencing rainfall one year may not see precipitation for the next couple of years or so. Atmospheric moisture is largely prevented from precipitating due to continuous [[vertical draft|downdrafts]] and other factors.{{Sfn|Singhvi|Kar|2004}} The summer months of May and June are exceptionally hot; mean monthly temperatures in the region hover around {{Convert|35|°C|°F|0}}, with daily maxima occasionally topping {{Convert|50|°C|°F|0}}. During winters, temperatures in some areas can drop below freezing due to waves of cold air from Central Asia. There is a large diurnal range of about {{Convert|14|C-change|F-change|0}} during summer; this widens by several degrees during winter. There is a small desert area in the south near [[Adoni]] in Andhra Pradesh, the only desert in [[South India]], experiencing maximum temperatures of {{convert|47|C|F|0}} in summers and {{convert|18|C|F|0}} in winters.{{fact|date=November 2024}}
[[File:Dust Strom in India.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Dust storm in the [[Thar Desert]]]]

To the west, in [[Gujarat]], diverse climate conditions prevail. The winters are mild, pleasant, and dry with average daytime temperatures around {{convert|29|C|F|0|abbr=on}} and nights around {{convert|12|C|F|0|abbr=on}} with virtually full sun and clear nights. Summers are hot and dry with daytime temperatures around {{convert|41|C|F|0|abbr=on}} and nights no lower than {{convert|29|C|F|0|abbr=on}}. In the weeks before the monsoon temperatures are similar to the above, but high humidity makes the air more uncomfortable. Relief comes with the monsoon. Temperatures are around {{convert|35|C|F|0|abbr=on}} but humidity is very high; nights are around {{convert|27|C|F|0|abbr=on}}. Most of the rainfall occurs in this season, and the rain can cause severe floods. The sun is often occluded during the monsoon season.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

East of the [[Thar Desert]], the [[Punjab]]–[[Haryana]]–[[Kathiawar]] region experiences a tropical and sub-tropical steppe climate. Haryana's climate resembles other states of the northern plains: extreme summer heat of up to {{convert|50|C|F|0|abbr=on}} and winter cold as low as {{convert|1|C|F|0|abbr=on}}. May and June are hottest; December and January are coldest. Rainfall is varied, with the [[Sivalik Hills|Shivalik Hills]] region being the wettest and the [[Aravalli Range|Aravalli Hills]] region being the driest. About 80 percent of the rainfall occurs in the monsoon season of July–September, which can cause flooding. The Punjabi climate is also governed by extremes of hot and cold. Areas near the [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] foothills receive heavy rainfall whereas those eloigned from them are hot and dry. Punjab's three-season climate sees summer months that span from mid-April to the end of June. Temperatures in Punjab typically range from {{convert|-2|to(-)|40|C|F|0|abbr=on}}, but can reach {{convert|47|C|F|0|abbr=on}} in summer and fall to {{convert|-4|C|F|0|abbr=on}} in winter (while most of the nation does not experience temperatures below {{convert|10|C|F|0|abbr=on}} even in winter). The zone, a transitional climatic region separating tropical desert from humid sub-tropical savanna and forests, experiences temperatures that are less extreme than those of the desert. Although the average annual rainfall is {{Convert|300|–|650|mm|in|1}}, it is very unreliable; like in much of the rest of India, the southwest monsoon accounts for most precipitation. Summer daily maxima are around {{Convert|40|°C|°F|0}}. All this results in a natural vegetation typically comprising short, coarse grasses.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}