An unusually warm December has enveloped Rajasthan this year, with the state's meteorological department attributing the phenomenon to frequent and active western disturbances. These weather systems have significantly delayed the onset of the severe cold wave conditions typically expected during this month.
Significant Temperature Departure from the Norm
The Met office reported that on Sunday, minimum temperatures across most parts of the state remained nearly 4 degrees Celsius above the normal average. This warming trend is not confined to the plains but has also affected regions known for their biting winter chill.
Areas like Shekhawati, which are usually shivering in December, have recorded warmer-than-usual conditions. Iconic cold spots including Fatehpur, Churu, Bikaner, and Sriganganagar, where minimums often plunge to 3°C or lower, have seen average minimum temperatures hovering around 6°C this season.
Jaipur and Day Temperatures Also Feel the Heat
The state capital, Jaipur, has not been spared. The Pink City, which generally experiences an average minimum temperature of around 6°C in December, has recorded readings closer to 9°C this year. In a stark example, Jaipur's minimum temperature on Sunday was 11.8°C, a figure significantly higher than the seasonal norm.
The warmth extends beyond the nights. Daytime maximum temperatures have also stayed above normal. While December maximums usually sit at or below 23°C, this month they have been averaging around 26.5°C, according to the Met department.
Cause and the Forecast for Colder Days
Meteorologists explain that western disturbances arriving at regular intervals have brought fog, cloudy skies, and higher humidity. These conditions have, in turn, weakened the north-westerly winds that are responsible for driving temperatures down during a typical Rajasthani winter.
However, a change is on the horizon. The Jaipur Met office forecasts no major shift for Monday. But from Tuesday onwards, as the influence of western disturbances begins to wane, temperatures are likely to fall. An officer indicated that after December 26, there is a possibility of a drop of nearly 4 degrees in the minimum temperature, paving the way for the return of the familiar winter chill and shivering cold across the state.
On Sunday, Chittorgarh recorded the state's lowest minimum temperature at 7.8°C, which itself is indicative of the milder conditions prevailing this December.
