In the last 15 days, successive Western Disturbances have approached the Western Himalayas leading to variation in the wind direction. Northerly winds are cold during this season, while easterlies and southeasterlies are comparatively warmer.
During the last 24 hours, northerly winds have been blowing in many parts of Central and West India like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Due to these northerly winds, the minimum in these states is settling 2-5 degrees below normal. Isolated places are witnessing a drop of about 6 degrees Celsius.
The most significant drop has been witnessed in Churu where the minimum settled at 2.6 degrees Celsius today morning as opposed to 10.2 degrees Celsius yesterday. Similarly, the night temperature of Hisar dropped to 3.2 degrees Celsius from 11 degrees Celsius yesterday. The minimum of Pilani settled at 2.5 degrees Celsius today morning against 11 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday..
So, the difference between the temperatures shows the effect of icy cold winds on the minimums of Northwest and Central India. Similarly, the maximum temperature also decreased due to the presence of cold winds.
We expect these winds to continue for another 24 to 48 hours which will further lead to a drop in the temperature and cold wave conditions in isolated pockets of Haryana, and North Rajasthan.
Another Western Disturbance will approach the Western Himalayas by January 11 and from January 12, the wind direction will once again change from northerly to southeasterly leading to an increase in minimum temperature once again.
Thus, we can say that the winter chill will persist for another 48 hours in the above-mentioned places.
Image Credit: Down To Earth
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