Delhi NCR Missing Signature Winter Cold: IMD Explains Unusual Warm Temperatures and Future Forecast

The IMD forecasts that a western disturbance is anticipated on December 13th, though it will be weak in nature.

New Delhi:

Despite one-third of December already passing, Delhi-NCR region has yet to experience its characteristic intense winter chill. Data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday revealed that Lodhi Road recorded a maximum temperature of 25.4 degrees Celsius between Wednesday and Thursday morning (8:30 AM), which is 2.4 degrees above the average. Similarly, the minimum temperature stood at 8.6 degrees Celsius, exceeding the average by 0.6 degrees.

This warmer trend has persisted throughout the Delhi-NCR area this month and is expected to continue for the upcoming week.

In a statement to NDTV, Dr. Naresh Kumar, senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department, explained, "The intensification of cold weather is dependent on Western Disturbances, which bring dry, cold northwesterly winds to Delhi and parts of Northwest India. No active Western Disturbance has occurred this season thus far, explaining why Delhi-NCR and surrounding regions have not yet experienced a cold wave."

The IMD forecast indicates that while a western disturbance is expected on December 13th, it will be relatively weak. Its impact is anticipated to be limited to bringing rainfall to certain parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr. Naresh Kumar predicts that Delhi's minimum temperature may increase by 2-4 degrees Celsius in the coming week, creating even more pleasant weather conditions. Night temperatures are expected to rise to approximately 9-10 degrees Celsius.

According to the Meteorological Department's Thursday report, numerous locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad recorded minimum temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius during the previous 24 hours.

Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions were observed in various places across West Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. Cold wave conditions were also reported in isolated areas of Punjab, Vidarbha, North Interior Karnataka, and Telangana.

Western Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha have been experiencing cold wave conditions for six consecutive days, while Delhi-NCR residents must continue to wait for the true winter chill to arrive.