The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a significant warning for several northern states, forecasting the persistence of medium to dense fog alongside cold days and cold wave conditions in the coming days. Residents across a vast swathe of North India, including Uttar Pradesh, need to brace for continued harsh winter weather.
Affected Regions and Weather Predictions
According to the IMD's latest bulletin, fog is likely to reappear over multiple regions. The affected areas include Haryana, Punjab, northern and western Rajasthan, north-eastern Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and northern Madhya Pradesh. The Kanpur division is specifically mentioned within this alert zone. The department has also predicted that a cold wave will prevail during this period, exacerbating the chilly conditions.
Expert Analysis on Temperature and Fog
Weather scientist Dr. Sunil Pandey of CSA University provided further insight on Sunday. He stated that Uttar Pradesh, including the Kanpur division, would witness fluctuations in both day and night temperatures. A key concern highlighted by Dr. Pandey is the prevalence of melting conditions, which are expected not only during the night, morning, and evening but also in the daytime hours.
He attributed the expected dense to very dense fog during morning and evening hours to a combination of pollution and high humidity. While wind speeds are anticipated to reduce in the next couple of days, this calm will likely contribute to fog formation and the persistence of cold wave and cold day conditions.
Ground Report from Kanpur
The meteorological observatory in Kanpur recorded concrete data underscoring the severity of the conditions. The city experienced a minimum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 14.3 degrees Celsius, both readings notably below normal. The maximum relative humidity was observed at a very high 97%.
Dense fog enveloped the city late at night and lingered until morning. Visibility saw only a slight improvement around 9:30 AM, with cloud cover dominating the sky throughout the day. The combination of dense fog and low temperatures led to moisture droplets wetting roads and open areas in the early morning. The harsh cold has forced most residents to remain confined to their homes for warmth and safety.
