Winter is beginning to announce its arrival across northern India, from the freezing high-altitude reaches of Himachal Pradesh to the plains of Delhi.While several places in Himachal recorded a sub-zero minimum temperature, Delhi on Tuesday logged its lowest October minimum in three years, signalling a spreading cold as the region heads towards the colder months. A woman wrapped in heavy woollens sits at a roadside shop as temperatures drop.
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 15.3°C on October 27, 1.9°C below normal at Safdarjung, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).The national capital last recorded a lower October minimum on October 27, 2023, when the temperature fell to 15.2°C. In Himachal Pradesh, the weather remained ruthlessly cold, particularly in the higher reaches, where several places have already recorded temperatures below 10°C.HAS WINTER STARTED?Kukumseri recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at -2.1°C on Tuesday, October 27, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Tabo recorded a minimum of 0.2°C, while Keylong registered 0.3°C. The low temperatures were also recorded in other locations.
The minimum temperature stood at 3.6°C in Kalpa, 5.9°C in Manali, 7.2°C in Bajaura, 7.5°C in Seobagh, 8°C in Bhuntar, 9°C in Solan, 9.6°C in Kufri and 9.8°C in Sundernagar.Shimla, the more popular destination, recorded a minimum of 10.2°C. An image of dry trees as winter arrives in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
The readings were recorded at 8:30 am on Tuesday, October 27, with the IMD noting that minimum temperatures had shown no large change at many stations over the preceding 24 hours and were mostly normal or close to normal.The weather agency did mention that Himachal Pradesh is likely to experience dry weather on October 27 and 28.Conditions are expected to change from Thursday, October 29, when scattered weather activity is forecast across the state. Thunderstorms and lightning may occur at isolated places on Thursday and Friday, October 30.
A satellite image shows the weather systems over the Indian subcontinent. WESTERN DISTURBANCE TO CHANGE THE WEATHERThe IMD has reported a western disturbance in the form of a cyclonic circulation over north Haryana.Another western disturbance, in the form of a trough in the middle and upper levels of the atmosphere, is likely to affect northwest India from the night of Tuesday, October 27.The forecast indicates isolated weather activity in Himachal Pradesh from Saturday, October 31 to Monday, November 2.With several places already recording temperatures below 10°C, the latest readings are a stark preview of the winter chill arriving across northern India.- Ends