Gurgaon residents woke up to the chilliest morning of the winter season on Saturday, as the city's minimum temperature nosedived to a biting 6.4 degrees Celsius. This marked a significant drop of nearly four degrees from Friday's low of 10 degrees Celsius, officially making it the coldest night recorded so far this season.
Cold Day Grips the City, Daytime Brings No Relief
The harsh cold was not confined to the night. Daytime conditions offered little respite, with the maximum temperature also taking a sharp plunge. It settled at 13.5 degrees Celsius, which is over seven degrees lower than the previous day. This combination of low day and night temperatures qualified it as the coldest day of the season for Gurgaon.
Subdued sunshine and persistent northerly winds were blamed for the intense cold that lasted throughout the day. Anil Kumar, a resident of Sector 56, shared his experience, stating that the cold felt unusually sharp even in the afternoon. He mentioned that his elderly parents had to switch on room heaters during the day, a measure they rarely take, due to the complete absence of warming sunshine.
Understanding the 'Cold Day' Criteria and IMD's Alert
Officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) clarified the parameters for declaring a 'cold day'. According to them, for plains, a cold day is declared when the minimum temperature is 10°C or below and the maximum temperature deviates from the normal by between -4.5°C to -6.4°C. Alternatively, a maximum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius or below also qualifies.
While Gurgaon's maximum temperature was low enough, the departure from the normal was not within the specified negative range. However, IMD officials noted that two stations in neighboring Delhi had already met the official cold day criteria.
The cold spell was accompanied by moderate fog in the early morning hours, severely reducing visibility. At around 4 am, visibility dropped to approximately 350 metres, causing difficulties for early morning commuters. Conditions improved slightly after sunrise, with visibility increasing to about 500 metres by 6 am.
In view of these conditions, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for Gurgaon for the next 24 hours, warning of dense fog during the early morning and advising people to exercise caution while traveling.
Weather Outlook: Fluctuating Temperatures Ahead
Weather experts attribute the current cold wave to a western disturbance affecting the region. They predict fluctuating temperatures over the coming days. An IMD official indicated that minimum temperatures are likely to rise temporarily by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next three days as the western disturbance passes through.
However, this relief will be short-lived. The official warned that another dip of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius is expected thereafter. Cold day conditions at a few places are likely to continue for the next two days, suggesting that the biting cold will persist through the week. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions and stay updated with the latest weather forecasts.
