Geography and Climate
Kottayam has an average elevation of 3 metres (9 feet) from sea level. Kottayam is situated in the basin of the Meenachil River and in the basin of the Vembanad backwaters, which are formed from several streams in the Western Ghats in Idukki district. It flows through Kottayam district and joins Vembanad lake. According to the division of places in Kerala based on altitudes, Kottayam is classified as being a midland area. The general soil type is alluvial soil. The vegetation is mainly tropical evergreen and moist deciduous type.
The climate in this district is moderate and pleasant. Kottayam's proximity to the equator results in little seasonal temperature variation, with moderate to high levels of humidity. Annual temperatures range between 20 to 35 °C (68 to 95 °F). From June through September, the south-west monsoon brings in heavy rains, as Kottayam lies on the windward side of the Western Ghats. From October to December, Kottayam receives light rain from the northwest monsoon. The average annual rainfall is 3200 mm.
Kottayam is bordered by Pathanamthitta district on the south, Alappuzha district on the west, Ernakulam district on the north and Idukki district on the east.
| Climate data for Kottayam | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 32 (90) |
32 (90) |
33 (91) |
33 (91) |
32 (90) |
30 (86) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
30 (86) |
30 (86) |
30 (86) |
31 (88) |
30.9 (87.7) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 22 (72) |
23 (73) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
23.8 (74.9) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 22 (0.87) |
39 (1.54) |
60 (2.36) |
155 (6.1) |
320 (12.6) |
636 (25.04) |
596 (23.46) |
397 (15.63) |
292 (11.5) |
326 (12.83) |
210 (8.27) |
52 (2.05) |
3,105 (122.24) |
| Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 117 |
| Source: Weather2Travel | |||||||||||||
Read more about this topic: Kottayam
Famous quotes containing the words geography and, geography and/or climate:
“At present cats have more purchasing power and influence than the poor of this planet. Accidents of geography and colonial history should no longer determine who gets the fish.”
—Derek Wall (b. 1965)
“The California fever is not likely to take us off.... There is neither romance nor glory in digging for gold after the manner of the pictures in the geography of diamond washing in Brazil.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“There is much to be said against the climate on the coast of British Columbia and Alaska; yet, I believe that the scenery of one good day will compensate the tourists who will go there in increasing numbers.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)