Residents of Bengaluru received a surprising break from the winter chill this Saturday, as night temperatures in the city witnessed a significant spike. The mercury, which had dipped to around 12 degrees Celsius just days ago, climbed to a comparatively warm 17.4 degrees Celsius, offering a brief respite from the cold.
IMD Scientists Explain the Sudden Warming
While the unseasonable warmth led some to speculate about an early onset of summer, scientists from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) have clarified that this trend is only temporary. CS Patil, a scientist at IMD Bengaluru, assured that colder conditions are expected to make a comeback within the next two to three weeks. The department attributes the recent temperature rise to easterly winds blowing in from the Bay of Bengal.
"These winds have brought cloud cover and moisture to the region," explained Patil. He compared the cloudy weather to a shield, which traps heat radiated from the Earth's surface, creating a greenhouse-like effect. "This is why nights have felt noticeably warmer compared to a few days ago," he added.
Weather Systems Behind the Change
An official IMD release detailed the meteorological systems at play. These include an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, a trough extending to the Tamil Nadu coast, and another system impacting coastal Karnataka. An official stated that these combined systems led to overcast conditions, resulting in the warmer nights and largely dry weather experienced in Bengaluru and parts of south interior Karnataka.
However, this milder phase is not uniform across the state. While Bengaluru enjoys the break, central and northern districts of Karnataka continue to grapple with sharp cold and dense fog during late night and early morning hours. Additionally, cities like Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar even recorded isolated rainfall over the past two days.
Winter to Persist, Cold Wave Likely
According to scientist CS Patil, the winter season is expected to persist until the end of January. He provided a more specific forecast, indicating that night temperatures in Bengaluru are likely to dip again after January 5 or 6. "By that time, cold-wave conditions are probable in north interior Karnataka," Patil said. He further explained that this chill would gradually extend southwards, eventually encompassing Bengaluru as well. The intense cold conditions are predicted to ease from the first week of February, marking a gradual transition out of the winter season.
