Lucknow Gripped by Dense Fog and Chilly Conditions
The state capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, woke up to a thick blanket of dense fog and a notably chilly morning on Wednesday. Visibility plummeted to below 100 metres during the early hours, creating challenging conditions for residents and commuters alike. A glimmer of light sunshine emerged after 10 am, offering slight relief as the day progressed, but the overall atmosphere remained cool and misty.
Weather Patterns and Meteorological Insights
According to officials from the Meteorological Department, strong winds are anticipated to sweep across the city starting from Thursday onwards. These winds are expected to gradually reduce the density of the fog in the coming days. The maximum temperature is forecasted to hover between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to range from 10 to 11 degrees Celsius.
The recent weather shift can be attributed to the fizzling out of a western disturbance that had caused thundershowers on Tuesday. This development revived westerly icy winds originating from snow-fed mountains. These winds carried moisture from Tuesday's rainfall, which subsequently condensed into the thick, dense fog observed on Wednesday.
Temperature Trends and Forecast
This meteorological factor also contributed to a drop in both day and night temperatures. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 22.7 degrees Celsius, which is 1.3 degrees Celsius below the normal seasonal average. Conversely, the minimum temperature stood at 10.9 degrees Celsius, marking a 1.9 degrees Celsius increase above the seasonal norm. The fog eventually cleared by 10 am, giving way to bright sunshine during the daytime.
The Met department has issued a forecast indicating that a cold spell is likely to persist over the next five days. Additionally, moderate winds, with speeds ranging from 30 to 40 kmph during the day, are also expected.
Expert Analysis and Future Predictions
Meteorologist Mohammad Danish provided further insights, stating that dry weather would prevail across the state following the withdrawal of the western disturbance. He elaborated, "Minimum temperatures are likely to fall by 2–3°C over the next 48 hours. Dense to very dense fog will continue but is expected to reduce gradually from February 5 due to an increase in wind speed."
This combination of factors underscores the ongoing winter challenges in Lucknow, with residents advised to brace for continued cold conditions and potential fog-related disruptions in the near term.
