Delhi Records Coldest December in Three Years as Cold Wave Grips North India
Delhi experienced an exceptionally cold day on Thursday, marking its lowest December temperature in three years. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the minimum temperature in Pusa and Ayangar areas plummeted to 3.2°C and 3.8°C, respectively. The regional meteorological center noted persistent cold wave conditions, with predictions of similar weather across North India continuing until the weekend.
According to the IMD, Friday’s forecast indicated a minimum temperature of around 4°C in Delhi. Conditions of smog and mist were expected during the morning and evening, while the maximum temperature was anticipated to hover near 23°C. The IMD defines a cold wave as occurring when temperatures fall below 4.1°C or are significantly lower than average by 4.4°C or more.
Data showed that Thursday’s temperature of 4.5°C was the coldest recorded in December since 2021, marking a sharp drop from 5°C the previous day. By comparison, the minimum temperature last December did not dip below 4.9°C, recorded on December 15, and in December 2022, it reached a low of 5°C on the 26th. Thursday’s maximum temperature was also slightly below normal at 22.2°C.
Friday’s weather was expected to remain largely clear, with cold wave conditions persisting in isolated areas. Light northwest winds were predicted for the morning, increasing slightly in speed by the afternoon before subsiding in the evening. Smog and mist were also likely during the early and late hours of the day.
For Saturday, the IMD projected a clear sky, continued cold wave conditions in some locations, and winds predominantly from the northwest. Morning winds were expected to be light but gradually increase in speed by afternoon before diminishing again by evening. The pattern of smog and mist was forecasted to persist through the day.
Looking at the broader region, the IMD forecasted steady minimum temperatures across Northwest and Central India over the next five days. A gradual drop of 2-3°C in minimum temperatures was expected in East India over the next two days, followed by no significant change. Meanwhile, West India, excluding Gujarat, could see a gradual rise of 2-3°C in the coming five days.
Cold wave conditions were likely to prevail in parts of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh until December 15. Haryana and Chandigarh were also expected to experience cold waves through the same period, while Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh might see a reprieve after December 13. Madhya Pradesh was likely to experience cold wave conditions until December 16, and parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand were expected to remain cold through December 14. Similar conditions were predicted for Delhi on December 13 and 14 and for Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad through December 16.
Dense fog was another concern in parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and Bihar until December 13. Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura were likely to face dense fog through December 17. Ground frost conditions were predicted in isolated areas of Uttar Pradesh on December 12 and 13.
These weather patterns emphasize the severity of the cold wave gripping Northern India, urging residents to take precautions against the biting chill and reduced visibility due to fog.