Dense fog and extreme cold days continue in east U.P and Bihar

Skymet Weather predicts that dense fog will continue to cover the entire east U.P, Bihar and north Bengal region for at least two more days to come. This will not be good news for commuters and railways and airport authorities. The ‘western disturbance’ that affect the Himalayan regions often lead to a change in temperatures in north India, leading to cold day conditions and temperatures falling down to sub zeros. This is what the people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are experiencing right now. The maximums have continuously been 5⁰C to 10⁰C below normal and the fog is prevailing for longer hours.

In the entire month of January extreme cold temperatures (sub-zero) were recorded in parts of Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Agra and Varanasi, etc. And on Jan 28^th 2013, Lucknow recorded the coldest minimum temperature at 2⁰C, lower than the temperature in Amritsar which usually remains the coldest due to its proximity to the hills. The day temperatures in Gorakhpur and Varanasi were also recorded at 9⁰C and 8⁰C below normal.

On the other hand, thick haze and mist in coastal areas (Allahabad and Kolkata) of Uttar Pradesh and Bengal has been bothering people for the last few days now. The weather conditions in these areas can change only if the wind picks up and evades this persistent fog and mist.  The dense fog hours and extreme cold weather in the New Year has already taken the death toll in Uttar Pradesh to very high figures.

However another ‘western disturbance’ which is expected to enter the Himalayas in two days, which could help in raising the temperatures and giving some relief from the shivering weather. It is due to this approaching system that little rain is expected over Delhi and adjoining areas of NCR on the Feb 1^st or 2^nd. Currently, Delhi is experiencing light mist in the morning hours and partly cloudy skies.

There are chances of drops of rain over Vidharbha and adjoining areas of central India, due to a mix up of humid winds from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Weather is pleasant in this part of the country. Arunachal Pradesh and Assam too could record traces of rain in the hills because of the circulation of winds. Weather will be dry elsewhere in India.

Photo by Sigfrid Lundberg.