Weather: As the winter chill envelops northern India, residents are facing a bitter cold snap, with minimum temperatures reaching unprecedented lows. Across most parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, temperatures hover between 3-7°C, contributing to a frosty atmosphere that demands extra layers of warmth.
In many parts of south Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, temperatures are even lower, ranging from 8-10°C. This dip, 1-4°C below normal, is indicative of the severity of the cold wave sweeping through the region.
Today’s weather report underscores the severity of the cold, with Ludhiana in Punjab recording the lowest minimum temperature at a bone-chilling 2.5°C. This sharp drop sets the stage for a prolonged period of frigid conditions.
Accompanying the icy temperatures is a dense fog and cold day warning that blankets various states in northern India. From the 14th night to the 17th morning, dense to very dense fog is expected in many parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, impacting visibility during the night and morning hours. The warning extends to isolated pockets in the Jammu division, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, north Rajasthan, and several other regions, causing disruptions and emphasizing the need for caution.
The cold wave intensifies in Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, and Delhi, with Cold Day to Severe Cold Day conditions likely to persist on the 15th and 16th, along with isolated pockets experiencing cold conditions on the 16th and 17th of January, 2024. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are not exempt, as Cold Day conditions are predicted on the 15th and isolated pockets facing the cold on the 16th.
The Minimum Temperature Forecast and Cold wave warning indicate that Northwest India may see a rise of about 2°C in the next 3 days, while Central India expects no significant changes over the next 5 days. East India, however, anticipates a 2-4°C rise in minimum temperatures after an initial 2-day stability. Meanwhile, Maharashtra and Gujarat brace for a 2-3°C fall in minimum temperatures over the next 2 days.
The cold wave is relentless, with Severe Cold Day conditions predicted in some parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi until the 16th of January, and isolated pockets in Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan facing Cold Day conditions on the 14th and 15th. Ground frost is also expected at isolated pockets over northwest India on the 14th and 15th of January, 2024.
Residents are urged to stay informed about the weather conditions, exercise caution during dense fog, and take necessary precautions to stay warm during this prolonged cold wave.
Source: India Meteorological Department
