Kanpur and its surrounding region woke up to a severe cold spell on Thursday morning. The city recorded its second coldest night of the season, with the mercury dropping sharply to just 3.6 degrees Celsius.
Temperature Plummets Below Normal
The minimum temperature fell a significant 3.2 degrees below the normal seasonal average. This reading was taken during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, marking one of the most intense cold periods residents have faced this winter.
Weather expert SN Sunil Pandey from CSA University confirmed the severity of the conditions. He noted that Kanpur's coldest night this season occurred on January 4, when temperatures dipped slightly lower to 3.2 degrees Celsius.
Visibility Issues and Clear Skies
A thick blanket of fog descended over Kanpur around 9 pm on Wednesday night. This dense fog significantly reduced visibility across the city, creating challenging conditions for evening and night travel.
However, Thursday morning brought relief as the fog cleared completely. Residents enjoyed bright afternoon sunshine that followed the chilly night, providing some warmth during daylight hours.
Continuing Cold Conditions Expected
Pandey warned that cold and chilly nights will likely persist across the plains of the River Ganga. While daytime temperatures may offer some respite with warm sunshine, conditions are expected to deteriorate quickly after sunset.
The weather expert specifically cautioned residents about potential discomfort during evening hours. He also highlighted that fog could return during night and early morning periods, potentially hampering visibility once again.
Agricultural Advisory Issued
Farmers received important guidance from the weather expert. Pandey emphasized that irrigation of crops becomes necessary under these conditions to protect them from possible frost damage. This advisory comes as temperatures remain dangerously low for agricultural produce.
IMD Forecast and Regional Impact
The India Meteorological Department has issued its own forecast for the region. They predict fog and mist formation during morning and evening hours, attributing this to increased humidity levels in the atmosphere.
Despite the foggy conditions expected at daybreak and dusk, bright sunshine is forecast for afternoon periods. North-westerly winds are also likely to gain speed later in the day, potentially affecting local weather patterns.
Broader Weather Patterns
The cold conditions in Kanpur are part of a larger weather system affecting northern India. Moderate to heavy snowfall is predicted in the hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
This snowfall in mountainous regions is expected to trigger cold wave conditions across the plains of the Ganga, including areas like Kanpur. The meteorological connection between hill weather and plains temperature creates this widespread chilling effect.
Looking ahead, light showers may occur in western Uttar Pradesh around January 20. This precipitation could further influence temperature patterns in the region, though its exact impact remains to be seen.
Residents of Kanpur should prepare for continued cold nights despite warmer daytime conditions. The combination of low temperatures and potential fog creates challenging winter conditions that require appropriate precautions for health and safety.
