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The content explores the profound impact of weather and its cyclical nature through the four seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, and winter, culminating with a celebration of spring. Each season brings unique challenges and joys, from summer’s extreme heat and the heavy humidity that transitions into the life-giving rains of monsoon, to autumn’s festive ambience and winter’s chill, showcasing both beauty and adversity. Throughout, weather is depicted as a vital force affecting all life, shaped by celestial movements and atmospheric conditions. Spring emerges as the season of renewal, embodying nature’s splendour and vitality, underlining the importance of appreciating each season’s gifts.

Hot and humid

The day was hot and humid; respite was a far cry. The Desert cooler fitted in the room was routinely revolving, unconcerned. Its moisture-laden air was discomforting, adding more to the humidity and discomfort in the room. Suddenly, the noise of its fan stopped. There was an outage.

Sultry weather was at its peak. The scorching sun and humid conditions had made life miserable. The weather conditions worsened, and the Met department had predicted they would be the same for one more day. Copious perspiration without surface evaporation was adding to the woes.

The next morning was a little less harsh. The air was comforting. Amidst harsh conditions, the sweating body suddenly felt some respite. Clouds started hovering overhead, followed by easterly winds. A few moments later, petrichor made everyone happy. Occasional raindrops were followed by a moderate downpour. Everything seemed to dance with joy.

Fairly cool air and raining water were soul-soothing. After a long, torturous spell of sweltering heat, it was a great respite, though it was short-lived. The weather remained comforting for the next few days, but after that, discomfort started increasing. It remained for some time until the monsoon finally took over. (Britannica)

Weathers

The weather change is always appreciated. After a seemingly long spell of harsh weather, change breaks the monotony, bringing relief. The change also brings joy and happiness.

One of the several important gifts of Nature is weather. It is like a basket containing different tasty, juicy and rejuvenating fruits. Weather can be considered a celestial phenomenon. It is, though, dynamic and is caused by several factors like air pressure, the position of the sun and cloud movement.

Weather cycle

Slightly tilted on its axis, the Earth rotates around the Sun in 365.25 days. Taking an elliptical orbit, the Earth passes very close to the Sun, a position termed perihelion and farthest from the Sun when it is at aphelion. The Earth’s total journey causes weather, which is based on the position of the Earth with respect to the Sun. Other factors like air circulation, atmospheric pressure, et cetera also play a pivotal role in the weather cycle. The celestial movement gives life to the organisms living on the beautiful Earth; we treat it as mother.

Air circulation

The sun is the source of light and heat. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that, primarily, it is the sun which causes the weather. Heated by solar radiation, air becomes hot and buoyant, devoid of moisture. Hot air lifts up, creating a void and causing comparatively cool air to come in to fill the void. This is the movement that circulates heat and moisture to various parts of the Earth and keeps equilibrium across the globe.

Weather and seasons

It is difficult to grade different seasons. All four seasons are equally important and rewarding. The most endearing part of the weather cycle is that it allows us to break the monotony and bring happiness. The Gregorian calendar starts in the month of January and ends in December. The period of twelve months is divided into four quarters of three months each. Each weather type falls in roughly every quarter.

Summer season

Summer, or aestival, is the time when solar radiation is intensely hot because of the nearness of the Earth to the Sun. The hot westerlies, known as Looh, lash, forcing everyone to stay confined to shelter and shade. The temperature reaches as high as 45 degrees Celsius or even more. The sand deserts simmer with heat, making life unbearable for humans and resident organisms.

The hot season of Summer is uncomfortable, but it is also the season of several sweet and juicy fruits as well, which are delectable delights. The king of fruits is the mango, which rules the season. It is used both raw and ripe. In its ripe stage, it is a juicy and sweet delight which is enjoyed by peeling and eating. Its juicy pulp, made into a smoothie mixed with milk or some other ingredients, is quite healthy and enjoyable. In raw form, it is enjoyed in many preparations and syrups.

Muskmelon, watermelon, and cucumber are other fruits that are juicy and sweet. These fruits save one from the hot loo. They are light on the stomach and good for digestion as they are rich in water content and micronutrients.

Humid transition

The transition from summer to monsoon is difficult and harsh. The sultry season is very uncomfortable and dangerous from a health point of view. Extra care needs to be taken as it is the time when pathogenic organisms are very active.

Monsoon

The sultry season is harsh and difficult. To double the woo is a frequent and long outage, but this is the quality of the season. Everything has its end, and so is the harsh weather. It ends when the monsoon strikes coastal areas and, travelling, it covers the entire landmass. Monsoon drizzles drench and soothe the parched Soul. The season of romance, Monsoon makes people dance with joy and also takes them back in time. Women collectively swing in mango orchards and sing songs collectively. Rain-soaked earth wears a green stole. Enshrouded with thick verdure, the Earth looks extremely beautiful. Farmers start working in the field; the croaking of frogs and the stridulation of crickets add a layer of romanticism.

The romantic monsoon becomes destructive and ferocious. Pluvial floods inundate villages and cause heavy losses to crops. The deluge heavily affects wild animals. Famous for its one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga National Park in Assam (India) often faces flood havoc during the monsoon. Excess water fills ditches, ponds and rivers. Human-caused environmental degradation and climate change worsen during the monsoon. The decreasing forest cover and habitat destruction cause land erosion. Heavy runoffs erode the topsoil and carry it to rivers. The shallowing of rivers and siltation of dams reduce their water-holding capacity. It results in flood havoc and widespread loss of life and property.

Autumn: Festive season

After so much destruction, the monsoon starts retreating, giving way to the autumn season. The atmosphere starts getting cool. A pleasant cold is characteristic of this season. It is a festive season in India, especially in Northern India. The season is mildly cold and pleasant. People enjoy and worship Durga, also reverently called Mahisasur Mardini– the Goddess who annihilated the dreaded demon Mahisasur. She is the Goddess of valour. People celebrate it on the Nav-Durga occasion in Shaardiya Navratri, followed by Dussehra and then Deepawali.

After the festivities, winter starts setting in. The start of November marks its onset. With time, the ferocity increases, and intense cold grips almost all of northern India. Dense fog and smog cause zero visibility, hampering traffic and increasing road accidents.

Winter

Despite its adversities, winter is the season known for its green vegetables, fresh and healthy fruits and tasty food. It is liked by many for its charm of sitting around smouldering charcoal in a saucer and gossiping. Wrapped in quilts and woollens, they used to sit around and bask in the heat of simmering charcoal, eat roasted vegetables, sip sugarcane juice and endlessly gossip on different topics from politics to personal matters of others.

Gradually, the winter slips. The sun becomes southward. It is a period of transition when the sun travels in Capricorn. In India, it is an auspicious occasion. The weather starts becoming balmy. It is the time when Spring is all set to arrive.

Spring: Colourful and salubrious

Out of all, Spring is the best season. There are raptures all around. It manifests itself in blooms, myriad colours, cool breeze, azure sky and fluffy vagabond clouds. They all boil down to a most romantic and beautiful season. It is a season of Kaamdev. In mythology, he is a deity of beauty and romance. The weather is special not because of its food speciality but for salubrious and vital nature. It is the season when Nature is at its best. Every organism is busy in its work. Bees collect nectar, flowers attracting them with their bright and shining colours, pollen and nectar. Insects act as pollinators and help augment the energy cycle.

Nature’s bounties

Everything that Nature gives is for vitality and importance. It should not be tag as good or bad based on human fantasy. Like everything, seasons also have excellent and adverse impacts but are for maintaining a good balance and giving something valuable. It can be a personal choice, but judging them as good or bad wouldn’t be fair to Nature.

Further reads:

• Embracing Early Routines: A Retiree’s Simple Life
• Seasons: A Gift of Nature’s Diversity
• Why Spring Is the Most Cherished Season
• The Quest for the Coolest Thing: A Philosophical Exploration
• The Essence of Gratitude: Connecting with Nature and the Divine

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