Weather: As winter tightens its grip on North India, yesterday’s minimum temperatures showed the chilly conditions that prevailed over several states. Most notably, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and north Rajasthan experienced minimum temperatures in the range of 6-9°C. However, temperatures were slightly warmer, ranging from 10-12°C, over Delhi, south Rajasthan, and north Madhya Pradesh.
Cold Day to Severe Cold Day Conditions
The frigid weather persisted with cold day to severe cold day conditions prevalent in many places, particularly over Haryana and Punjab. Additionally, these conditions were observed in scattered areas across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, North Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.
Weather Systems in Play
Looking ahead, meteorological systems are indicating significant changes in the weather pattern. A low-pressure area over the Southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining West Equatorial Indian Ocean, coupled with a cyclonic circulation over northwest Uttar Pradesh, is expected to influence the region’s weather.
The low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea is forecasted to move northwards and intensify, becoming a well-marked low-pressure area over the Southeast Arabian Sea in the next 24 hours.
Fog and Cold Day Warnings
Dense fog warnings have been issued for various states during the next five days:
- Punjab: Dense to very dense fog conditions are expected from the 2nd to the 6th of January.
- Haryana & Chandigarh: Dense to very dense fog is likely on the 2nd & 3rd, with isolated pockets affected in the following days.
- Uttarakhand: Dense to very dense fog from the 2nd to the 6th.
- Rajasthan: Dense fog in early morning hours on the 2nd & 3rd, with isolated pockets in West Rajasthan affected on the same dates.
- Other regions, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, and Jharkhand, will experience varying degrees of fog during this period.
Cold-day to severe cold-day conditions are predicted in many parts of Punjab and Haryana on the 2nd, with lingering cold-day conditions in isolated pockets on the 4th and 5th of January. Similar conditions are expected in Uttar Pradesh, West Rajasthan, East Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh on specific dates.
Rainfall Forecast
Under the influence of a fresh easterly wave and the aforementioned low-pressure area, the following rainfall forecasts have been made:
- South Tamil Nadu, South Kerala, and Lakshadweep: Light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall over Lakshadweep during the 2nd – 4th and in Kerala on the 4th of January.
- Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh: Light isolated rainfall during the 2nd-5th.
- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha: Light isolated rainfall during the 3rd-5th of January.
Temperature Forecast
Over the next 24 hours, no significant change in minimum temperatures is expected over East India, followed by a subsequent rise of 2-3°C. Meanwhile, the rest of North India is anticipated to witness no significant change in minimum temperatures during the next five days.
As winter unfolds its diverse facets, residents in these regions are advised to stay updated with weather forecasts and take necessary precautions to tackle the challenging conditions ahead. Stay warm and safe!
Source: India Meteorological Department
