Karnataka's cold wave: What's behind the sudden chill?
Karnataka just went through an unexpected cold snap between December 8 and 14, with temperatures dipping way below normal.
Experts from IMD and Bangalore University point to a mix of global factors—like La Nina cooling the Pacific Ocean, which shifted weather patterns—and local effects.
Together, they made this week feel much colder than usual across the state.
How Siberian air and clear nights made it colder
Normally, the Himalayas block icy Siberian winds, but a shift in pressure let that cold air sweep down into Karnataka this time.
Cities like Vijayapura hit 7°C, Bidar dropped to 7.4°C, and even Bengaluru felt the chill at 12.9°C.
Scientists also explained that clear skies at night meant more heat escaped from the ground—a process called "nocturnal radiative cooling"—so warm days quickly turned into surprisingly cold nights.