The state of Madhya Pradesh is likely to witness cool weather conditions for the next few days with minimum temperatures confining to single digits across the state. From Gwalior, Guna, Bhopal and Shivpuri in the west to Mandla, Rewa and Umaria in the east, night temperatures have been running below the normal by 2 to 5 degree. Lowest temperature of 2degree is recorded for the 2nd successive day at Pachmarhi, albeit having elevation of 3,500'.
The winter rains have conspicuously been contrasting in the western and easter half of the state. During January 2023, East Madhya Pradesh witnessed large deficit of 73% rainfall and West Madhya Pradesh recorded marginal shortfall of 6%. Western and central parts of the state experienced cold wave conditions during peak winters in the 2nd half of January. The cold clut has started lifting from most parts, though on a dull rate, but expected to catch up soon, to lift in to double digit.
There were very few active western disturbances this winter season affecting plains of north India. Even, the mountains struggled to find few strong systems, that too, in the fag end of January. However, the milder systems are still moving as a chain across the hilly states. Feeble western disturbance is marked even now and 2 more systems are likely in quick succession. This trail of western disturbances has shifted the seasonal anticyclone far to the south, for longer than normal duration. Accordingly, the chilly winds blowing down the slopes of snow capped mountains are intruding deep in to interiors of the state.
The anticyclone is expected to shift gradually northward to its normal place, starting 08th Feb. Change in the wind pattern will consequently restrict access of cold wintry winds, more so for the eastern half of the state. Pleasant weather conditions are likely across the state during 1st half of February, with fair amount of sunshine and gradual rise of mercury levels, to slip into double digit in the later part.
