Gurgaon experienced its most severe cold spell of the winter season on Saturday, as the mercury plunged to a chilling 5.1 degrees Celsius. This reading broke the previous seasonal record of 5.3 degrees Celsius recorded just days earlier on January 5.
Fog Disrupts Morning Commute, Cold Winds Persist
The intense cold was accompanied by dense fog, which severely hampered visibility across several parts of the city. In the early hours around 8 am, visibility dropped to as low as 50 meters, creating hazardous conditions for residents. While there was a slight improvement by 8:30 am, visibility remained restricted to around 100 meters in many areas, significantly affecting the morning commute for thousands.
Despite the appearance of mild sunshine later in the day, cold northerly winds ensured temperatures stayed low. The maximum daytime temperature could only reach 17.4 degrees Celsius, which was a full degree lower than Friday's high of 18.4 degrees Celsius.
Weather Systems and IMD Forecast
According to meteorological experts, the current weather conditions are being driven by specific atmospheric systems. A western disturbance, visible as an upper air cyclonic circulation over north Pakistan and adjoining Punjab, along with an induced cyclonic circulation over Haryana, is pumping moisture into the lower atmosphere. This combination is a key factor behind the fog and cold.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that cold wave conditions are likely to persist at isolated places across Haryana for the next few days. The department has also warned of dense to very dense fog during the late night and early morning hours. Specifically for Gurgaon, the IMD has issued a yellow alert, forecasting dense fog for Sunday.
Why Are Nights Getting Colder?
An official from the IMD explained the science behind the plummeting night temperatures. "The absence of cloud cover combined with cold northwesterly winds is allowing heat to escape rapidly during the night, leading to a fall in minimum temperatures," the official said. Essentially, clear skies and prevailing winds are creating ideal conditions for radiative cooling.
The weather department's forecast indicates a continuing trend of cold nights. Minimum temperatures in Gurgaon are expected to hover between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius in the coming days, while the maximum temperatures may see a slight rise, ranging from 18 to 19 degrees Celsius.
State-Wide Chill Grips Haryana
The bitter cold was not confined to Gurgaon alone. Several other districts in Haryana reported even more severe conditions. Mahendragarh recorded the state's lowest minimum temperature at a freezing 1.6 degrees Celsius. The IMD confirmed that 'cold wave' conditions were observed in Narnaul and Hisar, while 'cold day' conditions are likely to prevail in isolated parts of the state over the next 24 hours. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions against the cold and plan travel carefully, especially during early mornings when fog is at its peak.
