1. The Himalayan Region

Stretching over the mountainous parts of the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, it has mild summers and cold winters. The regional distribution of temperature is largely controlled by the topography and aspect of slope. Upto a height of 2500 metres, the average temperature of winter season ranges from 4°C to 8°C, and the summer temperature varies from 12°C to 18°C. Rainfall is recorded from the South-West Monsoon in summer and from the western disturbances in the winter season. The amount of rainfall decreases from east to west. For example, in eastern Uttarakhand the average annual rainfall is over 200 cm, while in western parts of Jammu and Kashmir it falls below 150 cm. Snowfall and sleet are the common features in the Greater and Lesser Himalayas during the winter months (December to March).