Uttar Pradesh experienced its coldest day of the winter season so far on Friday, as a thick blanket of fog and chilly winds caused daytime temperatures to plummet dramatically across the state.
State Gripped by Severe Cold Day Conditions
Most parts of the state witnessed maximum temperatures dropping by a significant 5 to 9 degrees Celsius below the normal range. The capital city, Lucknow, recorded a 'severe cold day' with the mercury struggling to reach 15.5 degrees Celsius. This was a staggering 7.5 degrees below normal and marked the lowest maximum temperature for the city this season.
The situation was even more intense in Bahraich, which recorded the state's lowest daytime high at 13.4 degrees Celsius, a full nine degrees below the expected average. According to meteorological definitions, a 'cold day' is declared when the maximum temperature is 4.5-6.4 degrees below normal. A 'severe cold day' is confirmed when it falls 6.5 degrees or more below normal.
Scientific Reason Behind the Intense Chill
Senior scientist at the Met department, Mohammad Danish, explained the phenomenon. He attributed the sharp drop in daytime temperatures to a dense layer of 'uplifted fog' hanging about 2 kilometers above the earth's surface. This layer effectively blocked sunlight from reaching the ground. The chill was further intensified by cold westerly winds blowing in from the hill regions.
Danish detailed that this persistent fog has formed due to a constant feed of moisture from the Arabian Sea, which condenses upon meeting the cold winds. Interestingly, this same fog layer acts as an insulator at night, trapping ground heat and preventing minimum temperatures from falling drastically. In Lucknow, the relative humidity fluctuated between 78% and 97%, creating the perfect conditions for the dense fog to form.
Weather Forecast and Impact on Daily Life
The meteorological office has forecast that no significant change in weather conditions is expected until Sunday for most of Uttar Pradesh. The dense fog and cold day conditions are likely to persist. After Sunday, moderate westerly winds are predicted to clear the fog during daytime hours. However, these winds will bring the cold from the mountains down to the plains, potentially keeping temperatures low.
The impact of a 'cold day' is often felt more acutely than a cold night. During nighttime, most people are indoors, but during the day, outdoor activities expose individuals directly to the chilling effect of the low temperatures combined with fog and wind.
Other major cities and towns in UP that recorded cold to severe cold day conditions on Friday included:
- Ayodhya and Bareilly: 14.0°C each
- Shahjahanpur: 14.4°C
- Najibabad: 14.5°C
- Gorakhpur and Muzaffarnagar: 15.2°C each
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions against the cold wave and plan travel carefully due to reduced visibility caused by the persistent fog.
