Delhi’s December Starting Raises Questions on When Cold Will Arrive- Insights from Meteorological Department.

New Delhi: December has commenced, and the Delhi-NCR region is notably avoiding the grip of severe cold. Typically, this period witnesses a chilly winter in Delhi, but this year is deviating from the norm. The beginning of December hasn’t been this warm in almost eight years. The minimum temperature on December 1, which recorded at 13.3 degrees, was notably warmer than the same date in 2015 when it was 14 degrees. The Meteorological Department attributes this deviation to the influence of a western disturbance. The consecutive occurrence of weak western disturbances is acting as a deterrent to the intensification of cold weather in North India.

The diminished cold is also associated with the La Niña phenomenon, contributing to milder temperatures than usual. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the cold wave in North India, including Delhi, is expected to subside, and temperatures will remain higher than the seasonal average. Winter made an early entrance in October, with temperatures dropping to 9 degrees, three to four degrees below the norm. However, subsequent western disturbances led to a reversal of this trend, providing relief from the escalating cold.

On a recent Friday, the maximum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 25.4 degrees Celsius, slightly below the normal range. Simultaneously, the minimum temperature rose to 13.3 degrees, marking an increase of three degrees above the seasonal norm. Humidity levels fluctuated between 64 and 100 per cent. The weather forecast indicates a clear sky on the upcoming Saturday, with moderate fog anticipated in the morning. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 25 degrees Celsius, while the minimum will be approximately 12 degrees. From December 3 to 7, the temperatures are projected to range between 24 to 25 degrees Celsius, with the minimum temperature maintaining around 10 to 11 degrees. Light fog is anticipated from December 5 to 6, and no significant weather changes are predicted for the next six to seven days.

Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, suggests that the cold spell this season will be comparatively milder. Late December and early January may witness a brief period of colder temperatures. However, no rainfall is anticipated in the capital for the initial five to seven days of December, and the weather is expected to remain dry.