The temperature dipped to -18 degrees Celsius in Jammu and Kashmir's Zojila on Saturday night. The Meteorological Department has estimated that the temperature may drop to -25°C on Sunday night and -29°C on Monday night. While the temperature of Srinagar was recorded at -0.5 degrees Celsius last night.
However, even after the end of the first week of December, the plains of North India are not experiencing severe winter. Daytime temperatures range between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius in most cities, while temperatures in these areas range between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius.
This is happening due to receding ice levels in the Ganga and Indus river basins. Snow cover in these areas is at its lowest level in the last six years. In the Ganga river basin it is 40% lower than last year. Also, it is 10 to 20% lower in the Indus River basin.
According to meteorologists, the snow level continues to rise and fall even during the winter season, as it usually snows once or twice a week. This time all the Western Disturbances that followed the Monsoon were weak. Due to this, the snowfall decreased and the snow cover did not increase as much as desired.
North-west winds cause severe cold in the plains of north to central India
Northerly and north-westerly winds from the Himalayas cause intense cold in the plains of north to central India. The more active and longer the Western Disturbance is in the season, the colder it gets.
This time the average temperature is above normal in all the states from North to Central India. Last winter there was El Niño conditions from December to February. However, the Himalayas were colder than usual due to the higher snow cover.
Chance of extreme cold in late December
Skymet scientist Mahesh Palawat said several seasonal models, including the IMD, indicated that temperatures in December could be above normal. This means that the Western Disturbance will be less frequent and less active. The last week of December is likely to experience cold weather.
Weather news of states…
Rajasthan: Cold wave alert for 3 days, night temperature in Churu falling down 5 degrees
Due to Western Disturbance and strong winds, the cold has increased in Rajasthan. An alert has been given that a cold wave will prevail in the state from December 9 to 11. The maximum impact of the cold wave will be seen on December 11. A yellow alert has been announced for this. In Sikar, Hanumangarh, Churu, the night temperature dropped to 5 degrees Celsius.
Madhya Pradesh: Chance of rain in 13 districts including Jabalpur, snowy winds will blow in Gwalior-Chambal
Eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh are likely to receive rain in the next 24 hours due to Western Disturbance. Also, the effect of cold will increase in the northern and western parts. Icy winds will blow in Gwalior-Chambal division, while Bhopal, Indore-Ujjain will also experience severe cold.
Chhattisgarh: Chance of rain; Ambikapur is the coldest, with a night temperature of 9 degrees Celsius
Light to moderate rain is likely in all parts of the state today. Also, the maximum temperature during the day will be below normal and the night temperature will be above normal. Ambikapur was the coldest in the entire state. The night temperature here was 9.8°C.
Punjab-Chandigarh: Rain alert in 8 districts, fog covered 19 districts
The temperature of Punjab-Chandigarh is continuously decreasing. The minimum temperature in all the cities is between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is recorded around 25 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department has issued a fog alert in 19 districts of Punjab on Sunday, while rain is likely in 8 districts.
Haryana: Fog alert for 2 days, temperature below 8 degrees Celsius in 12 districts
The effect of Western Disturbance is being seen in the state. Due to which there is possibility of rain in some places on Sunday and Monday. The weather is expected to be clear from December 10 to 13. Night temperatures will drop due to northerly and westerly winds.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
