Residents of Ludhiana experienced an unusual meteorological twist this New Year, finding themselves in a chillier daytime climate than many popular hill stations in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the industrial city's maximum temperature was lower than places like Dharamshala and Kullu for three consecutive days, a rare occurrence that left locals both shivering and surprised.
A Comparative Chill: Ludhiana vs. The Hills
The stark contrast became evident on Thursday, January 1. The maximum day temperature in Ludhiana was recorded at 14.4 degrees Celsius, which was not only 2.4 degrees below normal but also colder than several Himachal destinations. According to a bulletin from the Shimla meteorological station, Dharamshala recorded 19 degrees Celsius, Kullu 16.8 degrees, Mandi 16.2 degrees, and Sundernagar 15.7 degrees—all significantly higher than Ludhiana. Kangra matched Ludhiana's 14.4 degrees, while only Shimla and Manali were cooler.
This pattern wasn't a one-day anomaly. An analysis of the three-day period from December 30 to January 1 revealed that Ludhiana consistently reported lower daytime temperatures than most Himachal hill stations, with the exception of Manali. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the temperature gap between Ludhiana and Manali was a narrow one degree and 1.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The Fog Factor and Public Reaction
Explaining this counter-intuitive situation, Surinderpal, director of the Chandigarh IMD, pointed to the dense fog enveloping Ludhiana as the primary culprit. He clarified that the persistent foggy conditions prevent sunlight from reaching the ground effectively, leading to a significant suppression of daytime temperatures. This phenomenon, he added, is a key reason why plains can sometimes feel colder than hills during specific winter conditions.
The unusual weather sparked conversations among residents, with many ironically considering a trip to the hills to escape the city's cold. Abhishek Ghai, a businessman from South City, acknowledged the irony, stating they were aware that hill stations like Dharamshala, Kullu, and Kangra were warmer. However, he noted that plans for a spontaneous escape were thwarted by the expected rush of tourists and potential traffic congestion in those destinations.
Record Lows and Reduced Visibility
The Thursday reading of 14.4 degrees Celsius marked the lowest day temperature for Ludhiana in the ongoing winter season, dipping just below the previous lows of 14.6 degrees recorded on both December 30 and 31. In contrast, the night brought some relief from the cold, with the minimum temperature settling at 8.6 degrees Celsius—3.2 degrees above normal and 1.8 degrees higher than the previous night.
The weather conditions were influenced by rainfall of 3.6mm recorded between 8:30 am on Wednesday and 8:30 am on Thursday. This precipitation led to moderate fog on Thursday morning, reducing visibility to 500 meters at both 8:30 am and 11:30 am. Visibility improved slightly to 800 meters at 2:30 pm before dropping back to 500 meters by 5:30 pm, impacting daily life and travel in the region.
