Indore Shivers Through Intense Cold Spell
Winter has made a powerful comeback in Indore. The city is currently experiencing one of its coldest January periods in recent memory. Residents woke up shivering on Friday morning after a particularly frigid night.
Temperature Plummets to Six-Year Low
Between Thursday night and early Friday, the minimum temperature dropped sharply to 6.2 degrees Celsius. This reading represents the coldest January night Indore has seen in the last six years. The sudden chill caught many people unprepared as they bundled up against the biting cold.
Local weather officials confirmed the dramatic temperature shift. Conditions had been relatively milder earlier in the week before this sharp decline. Friday's maximum temperature reached 28.2 degrees Celsius, which actually sits about 2 degrees above normal for this time of year.
However, the night temperature fell nearly 4 degrees below the average. This significant contrast between warm afternoons and freezing nights created considerable discomfort. People felt the chill most acutely during early morning and late evening hours.
Weather Patterns Behind the Deep Chill
Meteorological experts explained the reasons for this intensified cold spell. Persistent easterly and north-easterly winds played a major role. These winds blew at speeds reaching up to 13 kilometers per hour throughout the region.
The winds enhanced the cold effect significantly. They made the temperature feel even lower than what thermometers actually registered. Clear night skies further contributed to the situation by allowing heat to escape more rapidly. This combination accelerated the drop in minimum temperatures.
Historical Context and Regional Impact
Weather records provide important context for understanding this cold event. January 2019 remains the coldest January of the past decade. During that period, the mercury plunged to 5.6 degrees Celsius on January 29th.
With Friday's reading of 6.2 degrees, January 2026 now claims second place in recent cold records. The all-time low for recent years occurred in December 2025. Indore recorded a minimum temperature of 4.1 degrees Celsius during that month.
Data from the past decade reveals fluctuating winter patterns in the region. January minimum temperatures have ranged from 7.3 degrees in both 2016 and 2023 to the current season's 6.2 degrees recorded on Friday.
The cold wave extended well beyond Indore across Madhya Pradesh. Mandsaur emerged as the coldest place in the state on Friday. It recorded a night temperature of just 2.5 degrees Celsius.
Karoundi in Katni district followed closely with 2.7 degrees. Girvar in Shajapur district registered 3.3 degrees. Even the hill station Pachmarhi recorded a minimum of 3.8 degrees Celsius. These readings underline the intensity of the cold wave sweeping across large portions of the state.
Weather Systems and Future Outlook
Met official Divya Surendra provided technical details about the weather systems at play. A subtropical westerly jet stream with core winds of around 240 kilometers per hour prevails over northwest India. This system sits approximately 12.6 kilometers above mean sea level and contributes significantly to current cold conditions.
A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India starting January 19th. Clouding has already begun in some areas. Its impact may be felt in parts of Madhya Pradesh within the next two days.
The weather department issued specific warnings for the region. They forecast moderate fog in northern areas on Saturday. Isolated cold wave conditions may persist in Mandsaur, Malwa, Rajgarh, Shajapur and Agar districts until Saturday.
A gradual temperature rise of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in minimum readings is expected thereafter. However, another temperature dip remains possible once the western disturbance passes through the region. Residents should prepare for continued variability in weather conditions.
