Residents of Gurgaon woke up to a distinctly chillier morning on Monday as the city's minimum temperature dropped significantly, marking a sharp descent into winter conditions. The mercury fell to 7.6 degrees Celsius, which is a notch below the normal for this season and a full two degrees lower than Sunday's reading of 9.6°C.
IMD Sounds the Alarm for Haryana
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has taken note of the dipping temperatures and responded by issuing a 'yellow alert' for certain areas in Haryana. The warning specifically highlights the risk of cold wave conditions developing over the northern and western parts of the state. An IMD official provided a detailed outlook, stating, "Night temperatures will remain steady during the next 24 hours but from mid-week, the mercury is expected to dip further by 2–4°C during the following three days, intensifying the cold conditions across the region."
This recent low is close to the season's lowest minimum of 7.4°C recorded on November 11. While the day turned pleasant later, with a maximum temperature of 25.3°C (near normal), the focus remains on the biting cold at night and in the early hours.
Western Disturbance to Offer Brief Respite
The weather department also pointed to an incoming weather system that might temporarily pause the temperature fall. "A fresh feeble western disturbance is likely to start affecting the western Himalayan region from December 5. Its influence will temporarily cease any further fall in minimum temperatures, but it will start declining once the system passes," the official added. This indicates that any relief will be short-lived, with colder conditions returning swiftly.
Delhi Shivers: A 14-Year Record for Early December
The cold grip is not limited to Gurgaon. The national capital, Delhi, is experiencing an early and intense winter onset. Icy northwesterly winds have led to a steep decline in temperatures. On Monday, Delhi recorded a minimum of 5.7 degrees Celsius, which is a substantial five notches below normal.
This reading holds historical significance. IMD data since 2011 reveals that this is the lowest minimum temperature for the first week of December in at least 14 years. The IMD has forecast that the chill will persist, with the possibility of isolated cold wave conditions in parts of Delhi until at least Friday.
According to IMD scientist Krishna Mishra, while there might be a marginal rise in the minimum on Tuesday, "It will still remain below normal in the region with the possibility of isolated cold waves for at least the next five days." Forecasts predict minimums oscillating between 5 and 9 degrees Celsius till Friday.
Understanding IMD's Cold Wave Criteria
The IMD declares a cold wave when the minimum temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius and is also at least 4.5 degrees below the normal for that area. This criterion must be met at at least two weather stations for two consecutive days. The last time Delhi witnessed a cold wave in December was in 2021, which saw four such days.
A look at recent years shows a trend of earlier cold spells. The earliest cold wave condition was recorded on December 19, 2020. Comparing first-week lows: last year saw 7.1°C on Dec 7; 2023 recorded 9.2°C; 2022 was 7.6°C; 2021 was 11°C; and 2020 was 8°C.
While temperatures typically plunge below 5 degrees Celsius in the second half of December, this year's early dip is notable. The all-time record low for Delhi in December remains 0 degree Celsius on December 27, 1930.
