Delhi plunges into arctic chill: Coldest December in three years shocks residents!

New Delhi: The capital city of Delhi has plunged into a severe cold wave, with temperatures in areas like Pusa and Ayangar dropping to a staggering 3.2°C and 3.8°C, respectively, on Thursday. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), these chilling conditions have marked Thursday as the coldest December day in Delhi in the past three years. The IMD has issued warnings that these frigid temperatures are expected to persist across parts of North India until the weekend, leaving residents to brace for more biting cold ahead.

The IMD's forecast for Friday predicts a minimum temperature of around 4°C, with conditions described as 'cold wave at isolated places.' The department elaborated, stating, 'Smog/mist is likely in the morning. Mainly clear sky. Smog/mist is likely in the evening/night.' The anticipated maximum and minimum temperatures are projected to hover around 23°C and 4°C, respectively, indicating a stark contrast between day and night temperatures.

Understanding Cold Wave Conditions: What Does It Mean?

Cold wave conditions are officially recognized when temperatures fall below 4.1°C or when they deviate more than 4.4°C below average. Thursday's overall minimum temperature recorded at 4.5°C was 0.4°C below normal, a significant drop from 4.9°C the previous day. This drastic decline has not been witnessed since December 2021 when temperatures hit 3.2°C.

In comparison, last December saw a minimum temperature of 4.9°C on December 15, while in 2022, it was recorded at 5°C on December 26. The current weather patterns have resulted in Delhi experiencing lower temperatures than several hill stations like Shimla and Mussoorie, where the lows were recorded at 5°C and 6.9°C, respectively.

Forecast Ahead: More Cold Days Expected

Looking ahead, the IMD's forecast for Friday indicates continued cold wave conditions with a clear sky during the day but persistent smog and mist expected during mornings and evenings. The predominant surface wind is predicted to come from the northwest at speeds less than 8 km/h in the morning, increasing slightly during the afternoon before tapering off again at night.

For Saturday, December 14, similar weather patterns are expected with clear skies and cold wave conditions persisting in isolated areas. The IMD anticipates no significant change in minimum temperatures across Northwest and Central India over the next five days but warns of a gradual fall of 2-3°C in East India over the next two days.

A Broader Cold Wave Across North India

The IMD has extended its cold wave alerts across various states including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh until mid-December. Additionally, cold wave conditions are expected to affect Madhya Pradesh until December 16 and other regions like Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand until December 14.

Residents are advised to take necessary precautions against this unexpected chill as dense fog is likely to persist in several areas until mid-December, creating hazardous conditions for travel and daily activities. As Delhi grapples with this unusual winter chill, it serves as a reminder of nature's unpredictable patterns and the necessity for preparedness during extreme weather events.