Weather: As winter maintains its chilly grip, yesterday’s minimum temperatures across several regions in North India offered a glimpse into the continuing cold snap. Ranging from 3-7°C over most parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and north Madhya Pradesh, with some areas in Rajasthan and isolated pockets of Bihar, the mercury has been below normal by 1.0°C to 2.0°C in many parts of North and adjoining Central India.
The lowest minimum temperature, a bone-chilling 3.0°C, was reported at Narnaul (Haryana), Ayanagar (Delhi), and Kanpur (East Uttar Pradesh), emphasizing the intensity of the ongoing cold spell.
Weather Systems and Forecast for the Next 5 Days:
- Northeast Monsoon Cessation: Conditions are becoming favorable for the cessation of Northeast Monsoon rains over Tamilnadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, Mahe, and adjoining areas of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Rayalaseema, and South Interior Karnataka around 15th January 2024.
- Western Disturbance Influence: A Western Disturbance, in the form of a trough in middle tropospheric westerlies, is currently running roughly along Long. 62°E to the north of Lat. 32°N. Another fresh Western Disturbance is expected to affect the Western Himalayan Region from 16th January 2024. Under its influence, light rainfall/snowfall is likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-GilgitBaltistan-Muzaffarabad and Himachal Pradesh on the 16th & 17th, and Uttarakhand on the 17th & 18th of January.
Dense Fog and Cold Day Warning:
- Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi: Dense to very dense fog conditions are expected for a few hours in night/morning during 14th-16th, with dense fog in isolated pockets on 17th January 2024.
- Uttar Pradesh: Similar conditions are anticipated during the 14th-15th, with dense fog in isolated pockets on the 16th & 17th of January 2024.
- Other Regions: Dense fog is likely in some parts of Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand on the 14th, over Bihar, Assam & Meghalaya, and Mizoram & Tripura during 14th-15th January 2024. North Rajasthan & Sub-Himalayan West Bengal might experience dense fog on the 14th.
Cold Day Continues:
- Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh: Cold Day to Severe Cold Day conditions are expected during 14th-15th, with isolated pockets on 16th January 2024.
- Uttar Pradesh: Cold Day conditions are forecasted for some parts on the 14th and isolated pockets of West Uttar Pradesh on the 15th of January 2024.
- Bihar: Isolated pockets in Bihar might experience Cold Day conditions on 14th January 2024.
Minimum Temperature Forecast and Cold Wave Warning:
- Northwest India: No significant change in minimum temperatures is expected over the next 24 hours, followed by a rise of 2-3°C in subsequent days.
- Central India: A fall by 2-3°C in minimum temperatures is anticipated over many parts of Central India in the next 24 hours, with no significant change thereafter for the subsequent 3 days.
- Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh-Delhi: Cold wave to Severe Cold wave conditions are likely to persist during 14th-15th, with isolated pockets on 16th January 2024.
- Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan: Cold wave conditions are expected in isolated pockets on 14th & 15th January.
- Frost Conditions: Ground frost conditions are likely over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, and Rajasthan on 14th January 2024.
As the cold snap continues its hold, residents in these regions need to stay prepared for the chilly weather, dense fog, and potential disruptions in daily activities. Stay tuned for further updates as weather patterns evolve over the coming days.
Source: India Meteorological Department
