Cold wave in north India
New Delhi: Cold-wave conditions have enveloped northern Indian states, including the national capital, where temperatures have plummeted to 4.8 degrees Celsius, marking the season’s lowest. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that the minimum temperature in the city may drop to 4 degrees Celsius on Thursday. On Wednesday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 4.9 degrees Celsius. The cold wave has also affected other regions such as Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. Additionally, Jammu and Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall on Wednesday.
The regional meteorological center in Delhi has indicated that Thursday will feature a “mainly clear sky” with cold wave conditions in isolated areas. Morning smog and mist are anticipated, with similar conditions expected in the evening and night. The maximum and minimum temperatures are projected to be around 23 and 4 degrees Celsius, respectively.
According to news agency PTI, referencing the weather agency, minimum temperatures in early December have fallen below 5 degrees Celsius for the first time in 14 years. Historical data from the IMD reveals that the lowest minimum temperature recorded during this period was 4.1 degrees Celsius on December 6, 1987.
Forecast for Delhi’s cold wave
For December 12, the weather agency has predicted a “mainly clear sky” with cold wave conditions in isolated areas. The predominant surface wind is expected to come from the northwest at speeds of less than 8 km/h during the morning. Morning smog and mist are likely, with wind speeds increasing to less than 16 km/h from the northwest in the afternoon. Subsequently, wind speeds will decrease to below 8 km/h from the northwest during the evening and night, with smog and mist anticipated in the evening and night.
On December 13, the forecast indicates a predominantly clear sky accompanied by cold wave conditions in certain areas. The primary surface wind is expected to originate from the northwest at a speed of less than 8 km/h during the morning. There is a likelihood of smog or mist in the morning hours. As the day progresses, the wind speed is anticipated to gradually increase to 10-12 km/h from the northwest in the afternoon, before decreasing again to below 8 km/h from the northwest during the evening and night, with a possibility of smog or mist persisting during these hours.
Cold wave alerts from the IMD suggest that minimum temperatures in northwest and central India are projected to remain relatively stable over the next four to five days. In the upcoming two days, a gradual decrease of 2-3°C in minimum temperatures is expected in East India, while West India may see a gradual increase of 2-3°C in minimum temperatures.
The IMD has also forecasted that cold wave conditions are likely to continue in isolated regions of Rajasthan until December 16. Similar conditions are expected to persist in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh until December 16, while in Saurashtra, Kutch, and Delhi, these conditions are expected to last until December 13. Additionally, Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad are forecasted to experience cold wave conditions from December 13 to 16.
