Cold wave in North India: The IMD forecasts that the minimum temperature in the national capital could rise to 4 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
Cold wave conditions have engulfed North Indian states, including the national capital, which is currently shivering at 4.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest temperature recorded this season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that Delhi’s minimum temperature may rise to 4 degrees Celsius on Thursday. On Wednesday, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 4.9 degrees Celsius. The cold wave has also impacted states like Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and others, while Jammu and Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall on Wednesday.
The Regional Meteorological Center in Delhi has forecasted a “mainly clear sky” on Thursday, with cold wave conditions expected in isolated areas. Smog or mist is likely in the morning as well as during the evening and night. The maximum and minimum temperatures are anticipated to hover around 23°C and 4°C, respectively.
According to news agency PTI, citing the weather agency, early December saw minimum temperatures drop below 5 degrees Celsius for the first time in 14 years. IMD data shows that the lowest minimum temperature during this period was recorded on December 6, 1987, at 4.1 degrees Celsius.
Coldwave forecast for Delhi
For December 12, the weather agency forecasted a “mainly clear sky” with cold wave conditions expected in isolated areas. Predominant surface winds will likely originate from the northwest at speeds below 8 kmph in the morning. Smog or mist is expected during the morning. Wind speeds are anticipated to increase to below 16 kmph from the northwest in the afternoon, before reducing to below 8 kmph during the evening and night. Smog or mist is also likely in the evening and night.
For December 13, the weather agency forecasted a “mainly clear sky” with cold wave conditions at isolated locations. Predominant surface winds are expected to originate from the northwest at speeds below 8 kmph in the morning, with smog or mist likely during this time. Wind speeds are predicted to gradually increase to 10-12 kmph from the northwest in the afternoon before decreasing again to below 8 kmph during the evening and night. Smog or mist is also expected in the evening and night.
IMD’s Cold Wave Warnings:
The IMD has predicted that minimum temperatures in northwest and central India are likely to remain steady over the next four to five days.
Over the next two days, minimum temperatures in East India are expected to gradually decrease by 2-3°C, with no significant changes anticipated thereafter. In contrast, West India’s minimum temperatures are predicted to rise gradually by 2-3°C.
The IMD has forecast that cold wave conditions will likely persist in isolated areas of Rajasthan until December 16. Similar conditions are expected in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh through December 16; in Saurashtra, Kutch, and Delhi until December 13; and in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad from December 13 to 16.