The long-awaited winter chill finally descended upon Gujarat, with Ahmedabad and several other cities experiencing a significant drop in temperature on Monday. A shift in wind patterns brought a noticeable nip to the air, marking the season's coldest day so far for many residents.
Mercury Plummets Across the State
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the onset of colder conditions. Ahmedabad city recorded a minimum temperature of 12.5 degrees Celsius, which stands as the lowest reading of the current winter season. This was marginally above the normal average by just 0.2 degrees. The day's maximum temperature also reflected the change, settling at 24.6°C, which is a substantial 3.3 degrees below the usual mark.
IMD Forecast: Colder Tuesday Ahead
According to the weather department, the chill is set to intensify. The IMD forecast predicts that Ahmedabad's minimum temperature is likely to fall further to around 11°C on Tuesday. For the broader region of Gujarat, the forecast indicates no major change in minimum temperatures over the next five days. However, after this period, a gradual increase of 2 to 3 degrees is very likely.
City-Wise Chill: Naliya Records Lowest at 7°C
The cold wave was not confined to the major cities. Several towns across Gujarat reported even lower readings on Monday. Naliya was the coldest recorded spot, with the mercury plunging to 7°C. Other cities also felt the sharp cold:
- Kandla: 9.4°C
- Keshod: 10.4°C
- Gandhinagar: 10.8°C
- Rajkot: 10.9°C
Citizens across the state experienced persistent cold winds throughout the day, making the winter feel more pronounced than in previous weeks. The change, attributed to northeasterly winds, has officially ushered in the peak winter period for the region.
