The winter chill is tightening its grip on Ludhiana, with meteorological forecasts predicting a further dip in night temperatures over the coming days. Residents of the industrial hub are bracing themselves as the mercury is expected to plummet to around 4 degrees Celsius, intensifying the cold wave conditions.
Met Department Forecasts Intensifying Cold Spell
According to the latest updates from the meteorological department, the minimum temperature in Ludhiana has been holding steady at 6°C for the past two days. On Monday, the recorded night temperature was 6°C, which is 0.9 degrees below the seasonal normal and identical to Sunday's reading. The weather office has indicated that this cold weather pattern is likely to intensify.
The forecast outlines a gradual decline: temperatures are expected to drop to 5°C on Tuesday, remain at that level for the subsequent two days, and then take a sharper dip to approximately 4°C by Friday, December 20. This prediction suggests a significant deepening of the winter chill as the week progresses.
Day Temperatures Fluctuate Amid Foggy Conditions
While nights are turning colder, the daytime has seen its own anomalies. On Monday, Ludhiana's maximum temperature was recorded at a relatively warm 24.8°C, which is notably 3.2 degrees above the normal range and half a degree higher than Sunday. However, this warmth is set to be short-lived.
The met department forecasts a sharp correction, with the day temperature expected to fall to 21°C on Tuesday. A slight recovery to 23°C is predicted by Thursday, indicating unstable daytime conditions alongside consistently cold nights.
Fog and Visibility Issues Disrupt Morning Routines
The district experienced dense fog on Monday morning, leading the met department to issue a yellow alert. Visibility was severely reduced to just 800 meters at 8:30 AM, disrupting traffic and daily commutes. Conditions improved gradually through the day, with visibility recorded at 2,000 meters by 11:30 AM, 5,000 meters at 2:30 PM, and 4,000 meters by 5:30 PM.
For the immediate future, the forecast suggests mainly clear skies on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by partly cloudy conditions for the next four days. No formal weather warning has been issued for Ludhiana for the next three days.
Residents Feel the Bite, Adapt to the Chill
The tangible drop in temperature has not gone unnoticed by Ludhiana's citizens, who are feeling the sharp cold, particularly during the night and early morning hours. Many have been compelled to alter their routines and break out heavier winter gear.
Dinesh Kumar, a local resident, shared his experience, stating that the pronounced cold during night and morning hours has forced his family to wear more layers of warm clothing. "We have also started using heaters during these hours to keep warm," he added, highlighting the practical steps people are taking to cope with the escalating winter conditions.
As Ludhiana prepares for the predicted low of 4°C, the focus for residents remains on staying warm and navigating the foggy conditions that accompany this seasonal cold wave.
