Extended Winter Spell to Grip Northern and Central India from January 30
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a comprehensive weather alert indicating that large swathes of north, northwest, and central India will face a prolonged period of severe winter conditions beginning January 30. This weather system is characterized by multiple challenging elements including cold wave conditions, dense to very dense fog, gusty winds, and the influence of a fresh western disturbance.
Cold Wave and Frost Conditions Expected
One of the primary concerns highlighted by meteorologists is the persistence of cold wave conditions across crucial parts of northwest India. Isolated areas in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi are anticipated to remain under the grip of cold waves, with night temperatures expected to plummet significantly. Additionally, the Himalayan foothills, particularly in Uttarakhand, may experience isolated ground frost conditions, adding to the winter severity.
Widespread Dense Fog Forecast
According to the latest IMD bulletin, dense fog is very likely at isolated locations over several states including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and western Madhya Pradesh. More alarmingly, the forecast predicts dense to very dense fog specifically over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. These foggy conditions are expected to dominate mainly during night and early morning hours, significantly reducing visibility.
Authorities are strongly advising commuters to exercise extreme caution and stay updated with travel advisories during peak fog hours to ensure safety on the roads.
Western Disturbance to Intensify Weather Activity
Weather patterns are set to become more dynamic with the arrival of a fresh western disturbance, which is likely to affect northwest India starting from the night of January 30. Western Disturbances play a crucial role in bringing rainfall and snowfall during winter months in this region. This particular system is expected to cause scattered to fairly widespread rainfall in the Western Himalayan region.
Areas in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh are also likely to experience a combination of rainfall and snowfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. The impact of this weather system will extend to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where similar conditions including thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds are anticipated.
Thunderstorm Activity and Wind Patterns
The neighboring plains, encompassing Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, are likely to witness thunderstorm activity along with strong winds as the system progresses. Furthermore, isolated thunderstorm activity is expected over Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh as the western disturbance moves eastwards across the subcontinent.
Coastal Warnings and Temperature Trends
The IMD has also raised concerns regarding strong winds and rough sea conditions in southern coastal regions. These conditions pose a significant threat to fishing activities, prompting authorities to issue warnings advising fishermen to avoid venturing into affected areas during this period.
Temperature trends following January 30 present a mixed picture across different regions. Northwest India will initially experience no significant change in temperatures, followed by a gradual increase of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. However, this rise may be temporary, as another drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius is expected subsequently. Central India may see a slight decrease in temperatures after an initial rise, while Maharashtra is likely to witness a gradual increase in minimum temperatures in the coming days. Gujarat is expected to experience fluctuating trends with a pattern of rise, drop, and another rise. The rest of the country is not anticipated to see significant temperature changes.
Impact on Tourism and Travel
For hill states and popular tourist destinations in the western Himalayas, the approaching western disturbance is likely to bring fresh snowfall. While this may have a positive long-term impact on winter tourism by enhancing snow cover, it could cause short-term disruptions. Road connectivity to tourist spots may be affected due to snow accumulation, and travelers are advised to check local advisories before planning their journeys.
The IMD continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as the weather system evolves. Residents in affected areas are urged to take necessary precautions to cope with the challenging winter conditions.
