6.5   Plains · Part 3

seasons in Tamil Nadu as follows. Seasons of Tamil Nadu Season Period Winter Season January-February Summer Season March- May Southwest Monsoon June-September Northeast Monsoon October –December Winter Season During January and February, the vertical rays of the sun fall between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator. Hence, Tamil Nadu and India on the whole receive slanting rays from the sun. So, the weather is slightly cooler during these months. Winter temperature in Tamil Nadu varies from °C to °C. However, in the hill stations, the winter temperature drops below °C occasionally. Some valleys in the Nilgiris record even °C. This drop in temperature leads to the formation of thick mist and frost. This season is practically dry. Summer Season The apparent migration of the sun towards north during March, April and May results in the reception of vertical sun’s rays by South India. Thus there is a steady rise in temperature from the equator. Hence, Tamil Nadu located to the south of Tropic of Cancer, experiences high temperature. Generally the temperature varies from °C to more than °C. During this season particularly in the month of May, southern part of the state receives some rainfall from pre-monsoon showers (Mango/ Chittar and Ramanathi are its main tributaries. It is the only perennial river in South India. District Waterfalls Dharmapuri Hogenakkal Thirunelveli Kalyanatheertham Tenkasi Courtallam Theni Kumbakkarai and Suruli Namakkal Agayagangai The Nilgiris Catherine and Pykara Salem Kiliyur Virudhunagar Ayyanar Coimbatore Vaideki, Sengupathi, Siruvani and Kovaikutralam Tiruppur Tirumurthy Madurai Kutladampatti Kanniyakumari Tirparappu, Kaalikesam, Ulakkai and Vattaparai Major waterfalls in Tamil Nadu