Uttar Pradesh Gripped by Unseasonal Cold as April Temperatures Plunge
Erratic weather conditions persisted across Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, with minimum temperatures taking a dramatic plunge, creating conditions more reminiscent of February or early March than typical April weather. The sudden cold snap brought relief from early summer heat but also raised concerns about climate patterns.
Record Cold Across the State
According to meteorological officials, Najibabad in Bijnor district recorded the coldest night in the plains of the entire country with a minimum temperature of just 11.5°C. Meanwhile, Lucknow witnessed its coldest April night in five years, with the mercury dropping to 16°C.
Other parts of Uttar Pradesh reported similarly low night temperatures:
- Banda recorded 12°C
- Hardoi registered 13°C
- Bareilly and Meerut both recorded 13.2°C
- Barabanki measured 14.5°C
In the state capital, the minimum temperature dropped a significant 3.7 degrees below normal levels. The previous coldest April night in Lucknow was recorded on April 4, 2020, when temperatures dipped to 15.6°C.
Day Temperatures Also Below Normal
Daytime temperatures across Uttar Pradesh remained below normal, ranging between 28°C and 34°C. In Lucknow, the maximum temperature reached 30.5°C, which was 6.7 degrees below normal, though slightly higher than the 27°C recorded on Wednesday.
The sudden drop in mercury levels was attributed to moist conditions following thundershowers and gusty winds that lashed several parts of the state over two consecutive evenings on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Meteorological Explanation and Forecast
Mohammad Danish, senior scientist at the state Met department, explained the weather phenomenon: "The weather conditions are gradually returning to normal as the western disturbance and cyclonic circulations responsible for back-to-back thundershowers have now subsided."
However, the meteorological department warned that the relief from heat is likely to be short-lived. Maximum temperatures are expected to rise gradually by 8 to 10 degrees over the next seven days across the state.
"As a result, mercury levels will gradually rise and reach normal levels in the coming days," Danish added. "This means April will see the hot weather typically associated with the summer month."
Broader Weather Patterns and Historical Context
The weather has been behaving erratically for the past several months in Uttar Pradesh. While December and January lacked typical winter rains, February and March witnessed unusually warm conditions. However, temperatures have remained below normal in April so far due to repeated thunderstorms.
Met officials explained that normally three to four western disturbances arrive every month between December and May, bringing light rain at times and keeping temperatures under control. However, from December 2025 to March 2026, the western disturbances that affected India were weak, leading to a lack of winter rain and above-normal temperatures in March.
In contrast, about four strong western disturbances have impacted northern India in April so far, contributing to the current cold conditions.
Historical Comparison of Lucknow's April Temperatures
Lucknow's coldest April nights in recent years:
- April 4, 2020 — 15.6°C
- April 1, 2021 — 16.2°C
- April 3, 2022 — 19.4°C
- April 6, 2023 — 16.5°C
- April 2, 2024 — 18.1°C
- April 1, 2025 — 16.7°C
- April 9, 2026 — 16°C
The current weather pattern represents a significant departure from normal April conditions, with residents experiencing unexpected cold before the anticipated return of summer heat in the coming days.
