Chandigarh Shivers Through Historic April Chill and Record Rainfall
Residents of Chandigarh awoke to an unexpected winter-like scene on Wednesday, as steady rain, overcast skies, and a biting chill transformed the city into what felt more like late winter than mid-April. This unusual weather event marked the second coldest April day recorded in Chandigarh in more than five decades, according to meteorological data.
Temperature Plunge Breaks Records
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the maximum temperature in Chandigarh plummeted to 24.2°C, which is a staggering nine degrees below the normal average for this time of year. This reading makes it the second-lowest April maximum temperature since record-keeping began in 1969. The only colder April day on record occurred on April 8, 2015, when temperatures dipped to 22°C.
Adding to the unseasonal chill, the minimum temperature dropped to 13.4°C, approximately five degrees below the typical night temperature. This made it the coolest April night since 2023, further emphasizing the severity of this weather anomaly.
Heavy Rainfall Sets New Benchmarks
In just 24 hours, between 8:30 am on Tuesday and 8:30 am on Wednesday, Chandigarh received 38.3 mm of rainfall. This substantial downpour represents the highest single-day April rainfall recorded in the city over the past six years, highlighting the intensity of this weather system.
The recent spell of rain has dramatically increased the seasonal rainfall totals. Since March 1, Chandigarh has accumulated 17.6 mm of rain, which is an astonishing 233% above the normal rainfall for this period, as per IMD data. This significant deviation from seasonal norms underscores the unusual nature of this weather pattern.
Historical Context and Comparisons
To put this event into perspective, here are some key historical weather records for Chandigarh in April:
Top 10 Lowest Maximum Temperatures in April (°C):- April 8, 2015: 22.0
- April 8, 2026: 24.2
- April 1, 1976: 25.4
- April 4, 2023: 25.5
- April 17, 2015: 25.6
- April 2, 2023: 26.3
- April 28, 2020: 26.4
- April 1, 2020: 26.6
- April 3, 2023: 27.4
- April 7, 2026: 27.6
- April 8, 2026: 13.4
- April 2, 2025: 13.6
- April 3, 2024: 15.5
- April 5, 2023: 12.7
- April 8, 2026: 38.3
- April 13, 2025: 12.2
- April 20, 2024: 12.6
- April 1, 2023: 10.2
- April 15, 2022: Drizzling
- April 23, 2021: 6.4
- April 19, 2020: 40.3
Weather Forecast and Expected Changes
While umbrellas and pullovers made a brief comeback in response to the chilly conditions, this relief may be short-lived. The IMD has predicted no rainfall for at least the next five days, with Thursday expected to remain partly cloudy before transitioning to mainly clear skies in the subsequent days.
As the clouds dissipate, temperatures are projected to rise rapidly. The maximum temperature is forecast to climb to around 31°C over the next five days, while minimum temperatures are expected to stabilize around 16°C. This shift signals a return to more typical April weather patterns for Chandigarh, bringing an end to this remarkable cold snap.
This unusual weather event serves as a reminder of the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of climate patterns, even in regions with generally stable seasonal expectations.
