Harsher Winter Forecast for Central and Northwest India
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that parts of Northwest, North, and Central India will experience a harsher winter with above-normal coldwave days from December to February.
Key Predictions
- Above-normal coldwave spells are expected in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra.
- Coldwave episodes could last longer than normal, potentially up to 11 days compared to the usual 4-6 days.
Factors Contributing to Colder Weather
Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of IMD, explained that the anticipated colder days could be linked to:
- Weak La Nina conditions: La Nina, characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, is often associated with harsh winters.
- Development of polar vortexes: These can cause strong cold winds from the poles to descend towards southern latitudes, impacting temperatures in India.
Regional Temperature Variations
While much of central, northwest, and north India will experience below-normal day temperatures, the IMD forecasts a warmer winter for other regions:
- Warmer winter expected: Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, west Rajasthan, parts of Bihar, north Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, and the entire northeast India are likely to have above-normal minimum temperatures.
December Outlook
The IMD anticipates that during December, cold wave spells lasting longer than average will particularly affect northwest, central, and northeast India. Specifically:
- Coldwave spells lasting around six days are possible in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, west Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and parts of eastern Maharashtra.
Snowfall and Rainfall Forecast
Due to fewer and weaker western disturbances expected this month, the IMD forecasts below-average snow and rainfall over hilly and higher reaches and sub-Himalayan regions.
