Residents of Chandigarh breathed a collective sigh of relief on Friday as the city witnessed its first properly sunny day of the new year. The bright sunshine offered a much-needed break from the intense cold wave conditions that had gripped the region, marking a significant shift in the weather pattern.
A Welcome Break from the Biting Cold
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a notable rise in the day's maximum temperature, which settled at 20.9 degrees Celsius. This was a full three degrees above normal for this time of year. The sunshine was widespread and persistent, allowing people to venture outdoors and soak up the warmth after days of shivering indoors. The minimum temperature, recorded in the early morning, was 7.2 degrees Celsius, which, while still chilly, felt less severe under the clear sky.
This sunny interlude followed a period of dense fog and severely cold days that had characterized the first week of January 2025. The visibility had dropped significantly on previous days, disrupting travel and daily life. Friday's clear skies dramatically improved visibility and lifted spirits across the Union Territory.
What Caused the Sudden Warmth?
Meteorologists attributed this temporary respite to a change in wind patterns. A shift led to the reduction of the cold, dense fog cover that had been trapping the chill close to the ground. The sun's rays were able to penetrate effectively, heating the surface and the lower atmosphere. However, the IMD was quick to temper the public's enthusiasm with a cautionary forecast.
The weather office predicted that this sunny phase would be short-lived. They indicated that cold day conditions are likely to return to the region within the next 24 to 48 hours. This means the maximum temperatures are expected to fall back below normal levels, even as the minimum temperatures remain low.
Looking Ahead: The Forecast Calls for Renewed Chill
The forecast for the upcoming days suggests a return to familiar winter discomfort. The IMD has predicted:
- Dense to very dense fog in the morning hours.
- A consequent drop in daytime temperatures, leading to cold day conditions.
- Cold and dry northwesterly winds will continue to sweep across the plains.
Saturday's weather is expected to be partly cloudy, acting as a transitional phase before the cold tightens its grip again. The meteorological shift underscores the variable nature of North Indian winters, where brief periods of warmth are often sandwiched between long spells of intense cold.
For now, Chandigarh's citizens made the most of the pleasant Friday, with parks and markets seeing increased footfall. The day served as a brief but cherished pause from the winter's severity, a reminder of the sun's warmth before the region braces for the return of the chill as predicted by the weather authorities.
