<p>Do any of the resources <a href="https://data.gov.in/keywords/annual-rainfall" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> help you with historical rainfall trends for your area? Those are probably going to be a better guide than any approximation based on your latitude, altitude, and terrain as to what you can grow. I say this because at 5800ft the mountains are going to control your weather way more than a lot of other factors that are important at sea level.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-05T12:30:28.600Z
Thanks for your answer, @Ash. Those resources don't help much, actually, I've tried it before. What I ended up doing is using the nearest weather station data (which is 15kms away, and at a slightly higher elevation). But that isn't helping much because the hills have far too many microclimates. My question has a generalist aspect to it, which is: what happens to a tropical zone as the land increases in elevation? Does it become more "temperate" or "alpine" for all practical purposes?
kladhest
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-05T12:40:45.880Z
I'd expect that it stays tropical, or monsoon, in terms of still having very little seasonality in terms of temperature. Average temperatures will decrease with elevation and frost nights increase in frequency, subject to frost drainage. I'd also expect to see rainfall increase on windward slopes and decrease on the leeward side. So a more alpine temperature environment but at that elevation you're low enough that low clouds don't bypass you and yet high enough to start seeing appreciable [Orographic Rainfall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precipitation_types#Orographic) effects.
Ash
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-05T13:58:54.767Z
So, in theory, even in a tropical zone, as long as the elevation is high enough and the rainfall doesn't destroy flowers etc. I would be able to grow things that are ideally suited to a subtropical, temperate or more alpine climate? What would be the closest general analogue, or is it completely dependent on the microclimate?
kladhest
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-04T16:38:30.530Z
2018-06-04T16:38:30.530Z
Ash
<p>Every thing in Yellow is the &quot;Subtropical&quot; zone. Mountains augment climate in many ways, one is the rainshadow effect when warm moist air rises it interacts and accumulates on the mountains. Ice/snow if the mountain is particiularly tall, at the lower altitudes rain is frequent. Vegetation often very adapted to bizarre temperature swings. Producing very exotic plant species.
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/QOnrg.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/QOnrg.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-20T00:10:45.020Z
2020-10-20T00:10:45.020Z
LazyReader
<p>More specifically, I'm trying to work out climate analogues for my farm. It's at 5200-6200ft in South India. My area is a bit too small for the Köppen Map to correctly reveal patterns.</p>

<p>I'll be getting a weather station etc. soon, but it'll take a few months to a year before I have enough data to work with. But right now I have some experimental planting to do, so.. </p>

<p>My question is, if you were at around 5800ft in a tropical/subtropical region of India, would the climate then be more like a temperate zone or an alpine climate, but with monsoons?</p>

<p>To put it another way, my question has a general aspect to it too, which is: what happens to a tropical zone as the land increases in elevation? Does it become more "temperate" or "alpine" for all practical purposes? And what "tropical" factors remain in effect (for example, sunlight, I'm guessing)? </p>

<p>If I sound confused about how this stuff works, I would love if someone could direct me to a guide of some kind too!</p>

<p>Further information: It's in the Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, in a region called Bengal Mattam. There's a small stream that runs through the farm, right at the border, all along the lowest point of our farm/the hillside. The stream then turns sharply and in one kilometer from that turning point, empties into an irregularly shaped reservoir, which is about 669 meters from one end to other, and about 250 on two other extremes. I'm guessing that won't count for much except increase humidity and dew?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-05T12:26:33.727Z
@gansub thanks! I've added more details. There's a microclimate because the inner part of the farm is sort of nested between three hills, while a small valley in front of the farm leads to the reservoir of a Dam. Surrounded on all sides by either Shola forests or existing farms.
kladhest
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-07T00:13:43.517Z
My first guess would be subtropical highland climate, which is Cwb. Mexico City (19°N, 2,250 m ASL), Addis Ababa (only 1,000 km north of the Equator but 2,350 m ASL), etc.
spillthrill
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-10T08:23:24.430Z
Thanks everyone for your inputs. :) Cwb is what I felt from checking the koppen-geiger classifications (and all arguments/modifications against it), but I felt that wasn't nearly enough info to start crop/tree experimentation with, especially considering right now I'm still an amateur when it comes to understanding weather.

@gansub not sure what "mesoscale modeling simulations" are and how I could do them. Could you point me to some resources?
kladhest
<meteorology><climate><measurements><agriculture>
What kind of climate could you expect in a mountainous area in a subtropical region?
kladhest
# What kind of climate could you expect in a mountainous area in a subtropical region?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-06-04)

More specifically, I'm trying to work out climate analogues for my farm. It's at 5200-6200ft in South India. My area is a bit too small for the Köppen Map to correctly reveal patterns.

I'll be getting a weather station etc. soon, but it'll take a few months to a year before I have enough data to work with. But right now I have some experimental planting to do, so..

My question is, if you were at around 5800ft in a tropical/subtropical region of India, would the climate then be more like a temperate zone or an alpine climate, but with monsoons?

To put it another way, my question has a general aspect to it too, which is: what happens to a tropical zone as the land increases in elevation? Does it become more "temperate" or "alpine" for all practical purposes? And what "tropical" factors remain in effect (for example, sunlight, I'm guessing)?

If I sound confused about how this stuff works, I would love if someone could direct me to a guide of some kind too!

Further information: It's in the Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, in a region called Bengal Mattam. There's a small stream that runs through the farm, right at the border, all along the lowest point of our farm/the hillside. The stream then turns sharply and in one kilometer from that turning point, empties into an irregularly shaped reservoir, which is about 669 meters from one end to other, and about 250 on two other extremes. I'm guessing that won't count for much except increase humidity and dew?

**Tags:** meteorology, climate, measurements, agriculture

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: @gansub thanks! I've added more details. There's a microclimate because the inner part of the farm is sort of nested between three hills, while a small valley in front of the farm leads to the reservoir of a Dam. Surrounded on all sides by either Shola forests or existing farms.  
> **username_1**: My first guess would be subtropical highland climate, which is Cwb. Mexico City (19°N, 2,250 m ASL), Addis Ababa (only 1,000 km north of the Equator but 2,350 m ASL), etc.  
> **username_0**: Thanks everyone for your inputs. :) Cwb is what I felt from checking the koppen-geiger classifications (and all arguments/modifications against it), but I felt that wasn't nearly enough info to start crop/tree experimentation with, especially considering right now I'm still an amateur when it comes to understanding weather.  @gansub not sure what "mesoscale modeling simulations" are and how I could do them. Could you point me to some resources?  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-06-04. Score: 1

Do any of the resources [here](https://data.gov.in/keywords/annual-rainfall) help you with historical rainfall trends for your area? Those are probably going to be a better guide than any approximation based on your latitude, altitude, and terrain as to what you can grow. I say this because at 5800ft the mountains are going to control your weather way more than a lot of other factors that are important at sea level.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks for your answer, @username_2. Those resources don't help much, actually, I've tried it before. What I ended up doing is using the nearest weather station data (which is 15kms away, and at a slightly higher elevation). But that isn't helping much because the hills have far too many microclimates. My question has a generalist aspect to it, which is: what happens to a tropical zone as the land increases in elevation? Does it become more "temperate" or "alpine" for all practical purposes?  
> **username_2**: I'd expect that it stays tropical, or monsoon, in terms of still having very little seasonality in terms of temperature. Average temperatures will decrease with elevation and frost nights increase in frequency, subject to frost drainage. I'd also expect to see rainfall increase on windward slopes and decrease on the leeward side. So a more alpine temperature environment but at that elevation you're low enough that low clouds don't bypass you and yet high enough to start seeing appreciable [Orographic Rainfall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precipitation_types#Orographic) effects.  
> **username_0**: So, in theory, even in a tropical zone, as long as the elevation is high enough and the rainfall doesn't destroy flowers etc. I would be able to grow things that are ideally suited to a subtropical, temperate or more alpine climate? What would be the closest general analogue, or is it completely dependent on the microclimate?  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2020-10-20. Score: 0

Every thing in Yellow is the "Subtropical" zone. Mountains augment climate in many ways, one is the rainshadow effect when warm moist air rises it interacts and accumulates on the mountains. Ice/snow if the mountain is particiularly tall, at the lower altitudes rain is frequent. Vegetation often very adapted to bizarre temperature swings. Producing very exotic plant species.
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/QOnrg.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/QOnrg.png)


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