Why is northern India shivering? Rains & more cloudy days predicted ahead

 The IMD in its assessment said that minimum temperatures are likely to rise by 2-4 degrees Celsius over northwest and central India during the next three to four days.

A man covers his face with a piece of cloth during a cold and foggy winter morning in Ghaziabad. (PTI Photo)

Sibu Tripathi , India Today, New Delhi, January 19, 2022:  Acold day prevailed over Delhi and parts of North India on Wednesday with the weather department predicting a minimum temperature of as low as seven degrees Celsius in the national capital. The day followed a trend of gloomy, cold days over the last few days. Cold to severe cold day conditions have prevailed in many parts of Uttar Pradesh, in isolated pockets in northern Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar over the last week.

The temperatures in Delhi are likely to rise by a couple of degrees starting from Thursday, bringing a slight relief to the people. However, the India Meteorological Department has predicted rain conditions in the days after, which could further lower the temperatures.

The IMD in its assessment said that minimum temperatures are likely to rise by 2-4 degrees Celsius over northwest and central India during the next three to four days, and cold day conditions are set to prevail in isolated pockets over Punjab, Haryana, north Madhya Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

WHY IS NORTH INDIA SHIVERING?

The major dip in temperature is owing to a massive cloud cover over the Gangetic plain that has led to fog-like conditions, leading to a dip in temperatures in parts of UP, Bihar, Delhi and Punjab. While the cover has moved away from Punjab and Rajasthan, it will still take a few days for UP, Bihar, Delhi to come out of it.

Meteorological scientist Dr R K Jenamani told IndiaToday.in that a massive cloud cover has been seen in satellite images across the whole Indo-Gangetic plains. It has been observed for the last five to seven days in several parts including Delhi. It is 1700 kilometres in length, extending from Pakistan to Bihar. So, when such huge clouds are there, days get colder.

According to the IMD, a cold day is when the minimum temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius and the maximum is at least 4.5 degrees Celsius below normal. A severe cold day is when the maximum temperature is at least 6.5 notches below normal.