Residents of Madhya Pradesh should brace for a brief spell of rising temperatures followed by a drop, according to the latest forecast from meteorologists issued on Thursday. While no immediate warnings are in place, a blanket of dense fog is expected to envelop several northern districts of the state starting Friday.
Temperature Swing and Fog Warning
The weather office has predicted a gradual increase in mercury levels across the state over the next 48 hours. However, this rise will be short-lived, with temperatures slated to fall again thereafter. No weather warnings have been issued for Friday, but authorities are alerting the public to reduced visibility conditions.
Dense fog is forecast for January 3 across a swathe of northern Madhya Pradesh. The districts likely to be affected include Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, and Rewa. This haze is expected to persist into the following day, January 4, in areas such as Morena, Gwalior, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Maihar, and Mauganj.
Bhopal Feels the Chill, State Stays Dry
The state capital, Bhopal, experienced a notably cooler Thursday compared to the previous day. The maximum temperature settled at 25.5 degrees Celsius, which was nearly two degrees lower than Wednesday's high. Interestingly, the night was slightly warmer, with a minimum of 10.6 degrees Celsius, marking a 1.6-degree increase from the night before. For the coming days, the city might see shallow morning fog, with temperatures oscillating between 26 and 11 degrees Celsius.
Over the past 24 hours, the state remained dry with no rainfall reported. Maximum temperatures were generally within normal limits. A slight rise in minimum temperatures, between 2.1 to 2.8 degrees, was noted in the Shahdol and Sagar divisions, while other regions saw little change. Notably, minimums stayed 1.6 to 2.1 degrees above normal in Ujjain, Gwalior, Shahdol, and Sagar. The Chambal region recorded the most significant deviation, with night temperatures 3.3 degrees above the seasonal average.
Travel Advisory and Precautions
The impending fog cover, especially in the northern districts, is likely to disrupt road and rail travel. Commuters and drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution, use fog lights, and avoid high speeds during early morning and late evening hours. The reduced visibility could lead to delays and increased travel time. Residents, particularly those with respiratory issues, are recommended to limit early morning outdoor exposure when the fog is at its peak.
