Residents of Lucknow were greeted by an unexpected and sharp dip in temperatures on Friday, turning a sunny new year beginning into a shivering winter day. The city experienced its coldest day of the season so far, as clear morning skies swiftly gave way to dense clouds and fog, accompanied by piercing icy winds.
A Day of Record Cold
The meteorological department recorded the day's highest temperature at a mere 14.6 degrees Celsius. This reading was a significant 5.5 degrees Celsius below the normal maximum for this time of year, officially meeting the criteria for a 'cold day' in weather parlance. The night was equally chilly, with the minimum temperature settling at 8.6 degrees Celsius. According to experts, a day is classified as a 'cold day' when the maximum temperature dips between 4.5 to 6.4 degrees below the average.
The Science Behind the Sudden Chill
Senior scientist Mohammad Danish from the state meteorological department explained the twin factors behind this abrupt change. The primary cause was a western disturbance over Afghanistan, which led to heavy rain and snowfall in the northern hill regions. The cold winds from these hills then swept across the plains, drastically lowering temperatures.
Simultaneously, another connected western disturbance caused rainfall in western Uttar Pradesh districts, including Agra. The cool winds from these areas also converged on the state capital, creating a double impact. Furthermore, an unusual phenomenon called 'uplifted fog' played a crucial role. This is an elevated layer of fog, approximately 1.5 to 2 kilometers high, which trapped sunlight and prevented the city from warming up.
"The westerly winds brought a lot of moisture into the atmosphere, which condensed and led to this condition," Danish stated, detailing the mechanism behind the fog layer that caused the 'cold day' conditions.
What Does the Forecast Say?
The weather office has predicted that similar cold conditions are likely to grip Lucknow for the next couple of days, with temperatures potentially dropping even further. For Saturday, the forecast includes dense fog during the morning hours, possibly affecting visibility, with clearer skies later in the day. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 17 and 10 degrees Celsius, respectively. Citizens are advised to brace for continued cold weather and take necessary precautions.
