IMD forecasts cold wave across North India later this week
What's the story
Several places in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, recorded their minimum temperature below the five-degree Celsius mark on Sunday, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting severe cold wave in parts of the region later this week and warning of dense fog. "Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions is likely from December 28-29," the IMD said.
Details
Cold and dry winds to bring the temperature down
The IMD said the cold and dry northerly and northwesterly winds from the western Himalayas are likely to bring the minimum temperature in the north down by three to five degrees. The Western Disturbance (WD) will lead to "scattered to fairly widespread" snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the department further said.
Delhi
Minimum temperature rose slightly in Delhi
The minimum temperature in Delhi rose slightly under the influence of the Western Disturbance (WD) affecting the upper Himalayas, according to the IMD. The Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative data for Delhi, recorded a minimum of 6 degree Celsius as against 4.6 degree Celsius. However, Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the regional forecasting center of the IMD, said the relief will be short-lived.
Punjab and Haryana
Punjab and Haryana continue to have minimum temperatures
Gurdaspur was the coldest at 2 degree Celsius in Punjab. Narnaul was the coldest at 3.3 degree Celsius in Haryana. Karnal, Rohtak, Ambala, and Hisar recorded 3.8 degree Celsius, 5.4 degree Celsius, 4.6 degree Celsius and 5.8 degree Celsius, respectively. Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Patiala recorded 4.8 degree Celsius, 4.2 degree Celsius and 3.9 degree Celsius, respectively. Chandigarh recorded 4.1 degree Celsius.
Jammu and Kashmir
The weather remained dry and cold across Kashmir
The weather has remained dry and cold across Kashmir since the snowfall on December 12, with the night temperature staying several degrees below the freezing point, the Meteorological (MeT) department said. It has forecast light rain or snow in the Kashmir Valley over the next three days. The officials said Srinagar and Pahalgam recorded -5.2 and -5.9 degree Celsius, respectively.
Data
Other areas in Kashmir recorded temperatures below freezing point
Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded a low of -7.2 degree Celsius, Qazigund -5 degree Celsius, Kupwara -4.8 degree Celsius and Kokernag recorded -4.9 degree Celsius, according to the MeT department in Srinagar.
Himachal Pradesh
Keylong in Himachal Pradesh was the coldest
Himachal Pradesh's Keylong, Kalpa, Manali, Mandi, Solan, Sundernagar, and Bhuntar shivered at sub-zero temperatures. Keylong was the coldest place at -11.6 degree Celsius, Manmohan Singh, Director of MeT center, Shimla said. Kalpa and Manali recorded -3.4 and -0.6 degree Celsius. Mandi, Bhuntar, Sundernagar and Solan recorded -2, -1.6, -1.2 and -0.5 degree Celsius, respectively. Dalhousie and Kufri recorded 2.9 and 3.6 degree Celsius, respectively.
Rajasthan
Mount Abu was the coldest place in Rajasthan
Mount Abu, the only hill station of Rajasthan, was recorded the coldest place in the state at 2 degree Celsius even as several places saw an increase of two-three notches in night temperatures. In Uttar Pradesh, cold wave conditions prevailed at isolated places, while some places witnessed dense to very dense fog.