The city of Chandigarh is set to experience a prolonged spell of gloomy and foggy weather, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting bleak conditions for the next five days, from January 4 to January 8. Residents should prepare for mostly cloudy skies and significantly reduced visibility, especially during the night and early morning hours.
Fog Intensifies as Temperatures Dip
While the region remained dry over the past 24 hours, weather officials reported a noticeable intensification of fog conditions. The cold tightened its grip on Friday, January 3, when the city recorded a stark drop in daytime temperature. The maximum temperature settled at a mere 14.4 degrees Celsius, which is a significant four degrees below the normal average for this time of year. In contrast, the minimum temperature was recorded at 9.3 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal.
This sharp plunge in the day's high led to the IMD declaring a "cold day" for the second time this winter. It is crucial to distinguish this from a cold wave. A cold day is classified when the maximum temperature is unusually low. For this region, the IMD criteria specify a day as "cold" when the minimum temperature stays below 10 degrees Celsius and the maximum falls between 4.5 and 6.4 degrees Celsius below normal.
Detailed Five-Day Forecast and Advisory
The weather outlook for Chandigarh remains consistently chilly and overcast. Over the coming five days, the maximum temperature is expected to hover between 14 degrees Celsius and 17 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature is predicted to dip further, reaching between 5 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius towards the end of the forecast period. No rainfall is anticipated during this spell.
Meteorologists have attributed the unusually low daytime temperatures to a combination of persistent cold winds and dense cloud cover. This blanket of clouds has effectively blocked sunlight, preventing any meaningful warmth throughout the day and leaving residents shivering.
Commuters Urged to Exercise Extreme Caution
The primary concern for the authorities remains the dense fog and severely reduced visibility. The IMD has issued a clear advisory, urging all commuters to remain vigilant, particularly on roads and highways during the early morning and late evening hours. The region has been grappling with intense cold and fog for several days, with no sunlight to offer respite.
Friday's daytime temperature of 13 degrees Celsius was a telling sign, marking a departure of over five degrees below the seasonal average and standing as the lowest daytime temperature recorded in the city so far this year. As the city navigates this foggy and cold period, citizens are advised to dress warmly and plan their travel with extra time and caution.
