Bengaluru residents woke up to an unusually chilly Sunday as the city recorded its coldest day of the year, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting a significant temperature drop that had people reaching for their winter wear.
The Cold Numbers: Bengaluru's Temperature Plunge
The mercury dipped to 20.2 degrees Celsius during the day, while the morning saw an even colder 18.4 degrees Celsius that left early risers shivering. What made the conditions particularly uncomfortable was the extremely high humidity levels that touched 98%, creating a wintry haze that enveloped the entire city.
Light drizzles contributed to the persistent chill throughout the day, with the city center receiving 0.2 mm of rainfall while areas near the airport recorded 1.2 mm of precipitation. The continuous cloud cover and muted skies prevented any warmth from reaching the city, maintaining the cold conditions from morning until evening.
Scientific Explanation Behind the Unusual Chill
According to an IMD scientist who spoke to TOI, the current cold-wave-like conditions are directly linked to the persistent cloud cover over Bengaluru. "This is because of the cloudiness, which is eventually due to the passing of Ditwah cyclone," the scientist explained.
The weather expert further clarified that the lack of sunlight was primarily responsible for keeping temperatures unusually low. "Once we start getting insolation (incoming solar radiation), the temperature is likely to improve," she added, offering hope to residents tired of the uncharacteristic cold spell.
Weather Outlook: When Will Bengaluru Warm Up?
While the IMD bulletin indicates that Bengaluru will continue to experience generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain over the next 12 to 36 hours, there's good news on the horizon. The official suggested that relief might be closer than people think.
"In the next 24 to 36 hours, there is going to be respite. The major portion of the system has already passed and once this system reaches more towards north we can see some sun. We may see only very slight rain for next few hours—just like how it was on Sunday," the scientist stated.
As December approaches, weather experts expect the city to gradually warm up once the cloud system dissipates. For now, however, Bengaluru continues to experience a gentle, misty introduction to the winter season, offering residents a rare taste of extended cold weather that's unusual for the city known for its moderate climate throughout the year.
