Residents of Indore are grappling with unpredictable weather as the city witnesses sharp and frequent fluctuations in temperature. After a brief period of respite, the cold conditions have tightened their grip once again, especially during the night and early morning hours.
Rollercoaster Temperatures Recorded
The meteorological data reveals a tale of two extremes within a short span. The minimum temperature recorded on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday morning was 8 degrees Celsius. While this marks a noticeable rise of 1.6 degrees from the previous day's low of 6.4°C, it still hovers around 2 degrees below the normal average for this season. This rise came just a day after the mercury had taken a sharp dip of 2.4 degrees.
On the other hand, Wednesday's maximum temperature settled at 26 degrees Celsius, which is within the normal range but about 0.9 degree higher than Tuesday. Weather officials attributed the slight daytime warmth to clear skies, which offered some afternoon comfort.
Brisk Winds Amplify the Chill
Despite the marginal rise in readings, the perceived cold remained intense due to persistent northerly winds. Cold north-easterly winds, with speeds reaching up to 22 kilometres per hour, continued to sweep across the city, adding a significant wind-chill factor. This made evenings and nights feel particularly biting, even as the thermometer showed a minor recovery.
Meteorological Warning: Short-Lived Relief
The local meteorological department has cautioned that the current slight relief may be temporary. Arun Sharma from the Bhopal Meteorological Centre explained that synoptic conditions are pointing towards a return of colder weather. A key factor is the active sub-tropical westerly jet stream over northern India at an altitude of about 12.6 kilometres, where wind speeds are nearing a staggering 240 kilometres per hour.
Sharma detailed that while two earlier western disturbances have moved northeast, a new weak one is likely to affect the western Himalayan region around December 27. Consequently, the weather across Madhya Pradesh is expected to remain dry from December 25 to 30, with no rainfall forecast until the month's end. However, dense to moderate fog is likely in the state's northern parts.
The forecaster issued a specific warning for Indore and several other districts, stating that minimum temperatures are likely to drop by 1 to 2 degrees over the next 48 hours. Following this dip, no major change is anticipated, and the prevailing cold conditions are expected to persist until the end of December.
