Pink and red hearts abound in every store window along with teddy bears saying “I Love you” and roses all about! Day after tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, you are single and dreading the day.. C’mon there is no reason for you to hide your head under the covers and screen phone calls! We suggest you celebrate in the honor of all your singlehood. Valentine or no Valentine.. doesn’t matter, here’s how you can enjoy yourself.
Pamper Yourself- Golden rule! It is natural to feel a bit annoyed and lonely with all the commercial hoopla around you but do not forget the essence and the meaning behind the day. Give a little loving attention to your body and mind instead of waiting for someone else to do it. Go for a chocolate winter spa and get lost in the bliss with scented candles and your favorite music in the background. Eat a delicious meal, shop like there’s no tomorrow and treat yourself luxuriously.
Take charge- Shy days are gone! If you've had your eye on someone in your workplace or someone you met at a party and or you've already been engaging in some heavy yet indirect flirtation, now is the time, you can make a move. Let the girl power take charge! If you are still too scared to do it in person, leave a text or a note or send an e-mail. That way the ball is in his court, if he wants to respond or not. If he doesn’t, the ‘golden rule’ above will always help in forgetting silly things you did.
Go out and have fun- Brave the couples walking arm-in-arm down the street. Tomorrow will be just another day in that couple's relationship and the roses and chocolates will be half-off. No we are not being mean. We are just helping you cheer up. Call your gang of girls, quit work for a day and find a bar in which you can enjoy all day long. Drink, make merry and gossip with girlies and make your singlehood days memorable and unforgettable.
Meet your ex- This might sound corny to some but think about it. You can spend the day of love with an ex-lover. Yes! Broaden your sense of love! You might have had a sour past and chances of friendship again seemed bleak but believe you us, meeting your lovers of times past will not only help you forgive, move on and be more positive, it may help you focus and cherish all the good times you once had together. Try it, it won’t hurt!
After all, stepping out of home gives you more options than sitting at home and trying to pretend that it was just another day of the year! Happy Valentine’s Day singles!
Weather in Mumbai has turned warm and humid as temperatures both for day and night are soaring above normal for the past few days. According to Skymet Weather, the ongoing weather in Mumbai is due to the wind conditions that is not letting temperatures drop. Pollutants such as nigtrogen oxide and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) are also playing their part to heat up the commercial capital.
The morning hours in Mumbai are witnessing cool northeasterly winds but as the day progresses, southeasterly winds are taking over. In such wind conditions, inversion (a weather event in which the cold air near the surface does not mix easily with the warmer air above and gets trapped) is taking place so, instead of decrease in temperature with height, temperatures are actually increasing.
According to Mahesh Palawat, Chief Synoptician at Skymet Weather, an anti-cyclonic circulation over Mumbai and nearby areas at 1500m above the surface is not letting the warmer winds come down to the surface thus creating a constant layer of warm winds that is holding up the heat radiation from releasing.
Wind condition changes as the day progresses, the cool morning winds start heating up and increase the temperatures. Due to inversion and pollution, the temperatures are up by 3 to 4 degree above normal. The minimum temperatures are into early 20s while the maximum temperatures are approaching mid-thirties.
Due to the these conditions coupled with congested roads and constant constructions, pollution levels have increased three-fold over the standard acceptable limits last week, leaving the weather in Mumbai stifling warmer.
According to the Mumbai Pollution Control Board, pollution levels-particularly nitrogen oxide (NO2) and suspended particulate matter (SPM)-have been exceptionally high in the past few days. While the pollution levels in January were more than double the accepted limits, they further worsened in February.
For instance SPM levels rose to as high as 342 micrograms per cubic meter on February 1st. The levels were 335 micrograms per cubic meter on February 6. The NO2 levels were not as scary as the SPM levels, but they were still high, take into consideration 178 micrograms per cubic meter on February 7th.
Photograph by wallygrom
Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
No Delays- Mornings hours will witness moderate fog for a short period. The weather in Delhi airport will have a mainly clear sky that will turn partly cloudy at times. Minimum temperatures will see a marginal rise in the city.
Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, Amritsar
No Delays- Warmer morning under a partly cloudy sky will not allow fog formation and flight operations in Amritsar airport will be smooth.
Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow
No Delays- Shallow fog may appear in pockets over the Lucknow airport but that would not interrupt flight arrivals and departures. The sky will be partly cloudy.
Lal Bahadur Shashtri International Airport, Varanasi
No Delays- The Varanasi airport may see thunder build up with a few drops of rain. The sky will be partly cloudy but chances of flight operations getting delayed are minimal.
Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Airport, Patna
No Delays- Patna airport will see a windy morning and comparatively warmer day. The sky will be partly cloudy.
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata
No delays – Fog has been ruled out at Kolkata airport for the moment. Mainly clear sky is expected in the 'City of Joy'
Bangalore Airport
No delays – Nights and days will remain pleasant and hassle-free for flight operations. The sky will be partly cloudy.
Photograph by Rameshng
The weather in northwestern parts of the country is expected to change again with snowfall, rain and hailstorm that are expected to arrive in these parts from 15th February. According to Mahesh Palawat, head of Meteorologists at Skymet Weather, rain in Delhi will intensify, as a cyclonic circulation is likely to develop over south Rajasthan that would shift northeastward.
The northeastward moving cyclonic circulation will then meet the other cyclonic circulation associated with the expected Western Disturbance over Jammu & Kashmir slated to move in an eastward direction after arriving on 15 February.
“A Western Disturbance will start affecting north Pakistan and J&K from 14th Feb. On 15th a cyclonic circulation would develop somewhere near south Rajasthan. It will move in a north easterly direction and by 16th it will be near Delhi and gradually further move eastwards.” Palawat said.
Palawat further states that during its development on 14th February, the low pressure area or the cyclonic circulation will usher rain in southeast Rajasthan and nearby areas of Madhya Pradesh.
By 15th of February, rain with chances of hailstorm would intensify over most parts of north and northwest. Snowfall will occur over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the Western Himalayan region while Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh in the plains will receive rain and hail on 15th and 16th of February. There are chances of hailstorm over Delhi and northern plains on 15th and 16th February.
On 16th, the low pressure area emerged over south Rajasthan will merge with the Western Disturbance while moving northeastwards. Rest parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh will receive rain at many places post 16th onwards.
Touring in Delhi and having breathing troubles due to fog, mist/haze and the cold weather? Or is the sharp sun in Rajasthan that seems to be triggering your asthma back?
While on holidays away from home, health problems could strike unannounced! Though the winter and the cold weather seems to end in Delhi but the continuing fog has continuously hassled travelers, not just because of air flight and railway cancellations, but also because of the respiratory issues it brings along with it.
Here are some tips ways to make your holiday asthma-free and thus stress-free!
It's important to prepare ahead of time and prevent asthma attacks from happening so that your vacation or holiday trip will not be affected by your asthma.
1) Put together a written personal medical record that records your diagnosis, your triggers with the name of the medications you take.
2) Though you are following tip number one but still make sure you stock up on your asthma medicines. Don't forget to keep your rescue inhaler, even if you don't have to use it that often.
3) Visit your personal doctor in your country before you head out for a trip. Your doctor can help you have an up-to-date asthma action plan that can guide you in case your symptoms do start to heat up if the weather in the city or country you are traveling to, does not suit you.
4) Investigate online! Find out where you will be able to get emergency help at your vacation destination. Your hotel staff can also guide you in your research to find a suitable hospital and doctor.
5) Knowing your disease and carry adequate medicines for it is not enough, be sure to also carry your personal medical records with you at all times. Doctors in a different country and read these records and therefore help treat you better.
6) Try to avoid vigorous activity during very cold or uncomfortable hot and humid weather. Avoid breathing the early morning damp and polluted air, filled with mist and fog. On the other hand, sun could be fun but it can also be a dangerous. Little do some know that asthma is often triggered by climate, as well as environmental change. When you travel, you may be coming into contact with potential new asthma triggers in a different weather, in a different city.
Having asthma doesn't mean you can't still enjoy vacations. But taking the time and effort to prepare and make the right decisions can make all the difference. So as they always say, ‘prevention is better than cure’. Be prepared and be safe during your trip to country of colors, festivals and varied weather, India!
Winter season in north India is already at its ending phase as the morning temperatures have risen to 10⁰C, while the maximum temperature is also in the mid-twenties. The sun shines bright all the day long and dilli wallas have already started packing and dry cleaning their heavy woolens. Weather forecasters at Skymet inform us that the weather will remain so in the month of February and the temperatures could rise more.
While this has come as sad news for most winter lovers, it has brought extreme relief and great business news for others. School authorities and private swimming teaching clubs and swimming instructors and hoteliers are rejoicing. Anju Mahtab, swimming teacher/instructor at DPS says, “I work as a freelance swimming instructor for the school and I wait desperately for the winter months to end because it not only keeps me away from my only passion in life but also makes me loose out on business. A few classes a day in a month help me earn good bucks.”
Here’s how these simple points will help you get the pool ready for children in school, tourists staying in your hotel or for others who come to learn swimming at your club.
1) No, it’s not too early to check you pool! Checking the pool now will help you prepare, repair and clean it beforehand. Being ready for these tasks will ensure you have your pool ready on time. You can do them a few weeks before it is time for swimming to start.
2) In a winter full of rain, we are hoping you had a sturdy cover for your swimming pool. So before you remove the cover, remove the accumulated water, any dirt, and debris from on top of the cover. Otherwise you risk those things being dumped into the pool and therefore a bigger hassle of cleaning the dirty water from the pool.
3) Wash the cover off with soap and water before you put it away too. There could be bacteria and algae that would have grown on it over the winter months. Make sure you allow the cover to completely dry before you fold it and store it. Failure to do so can result in mildew forming on it.
4) Look for leaks and cracks in hoses that can pose a problem for you. Check the filtering system and the pump over. If you have a heater for your swimming pool make sure you carefully inspect it as well.
5) Once your water level is where you want it, you need to test it out. Finding out the Ph levels at this time will allow you to decide what chemicals to add. If you have left over chemicals from the season before, toss them out asap.
6) If you have to put out Ladders and non-skid mats then do so before anyone gets ready to use the swimming pool. It can be easy to forget these items but they need to be in place for safety. Check to be sure nothing is loose. You want everything to be in perfect working order before the perfect swimming weather!
Photo by v4sport.eu
North and Northwest India
The week starts with a rise in minimum temperature that will provide further relief from cold conditions during nights. With a short break on Wednesday the 14th, they will again rise as a fresh Western Disturbance will be hovering close to Jammu & Kashmir. That will stop the northerly winds and southeasterly winds will again resume in the region to increase the minimum temperatures as the weather system gradually advances inside the Indian Territory.
Rain and snow will then come into action over the hills of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and northwest plains of Punjab, Haryana, north Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh from 15th onwards. The weather will continue throughout the weekend. One or two places in the region could receive hailstorm as well.
East and Northeast India
From 17th February onwards rain will shift first towards central Uttar Pradesh and then move to east Uttar Pradesh including Allahabad, Bihar, sub-Himalayan West Bengal in a span of two days. Rain will occur in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh thereafter.
There is a possibility of formation of a trough of low pressure area if the confrontation of winds in MP and Maharashtra becomes a cyclonic circulation and connects with the cyclonic circulation over northeast states. Such a development could lead to rain beginning from Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast reaching Karnataka in the south Peninsula as the trough of low pressure area spreads across.
Central India
The above possibility of weather could lead to more rain in central India over Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will continue to have rainy weather during the first two days of the week. Rain is expected at one or two places.
South India
Andhra Pradesh coast will be witnessing a sharp turn of northeasterly winds into easterly to southeasterly winds. So, rain could be expected at one or two places in Andhra Pradesh by the weekend. Extreme southern parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala will continue to receive rain due to the low pressure area near southwest Bay of Bengal.
Photograph by antkriz
Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
No Delays- Shallow fog turning into moderate fog for a short period during morning hours will be observed at Delhi airport. Fog in Delhi will not affect the airport operations. The lowest visibility is likely to remain around 100m.
Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, Amritsar
No Delays- Moderate fog may hog the Amrtisar airport for a short period during early morning hours. The minimum temperature will rise in Amritsar and sky will become partly cloudy.
Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow
No Delays- Lucknow airport will observe shallow to moderate fog during morning hours as the humidity level is high but flights remain unaffected
Lal Bahadur Shashtri International Airport, Varanasi
No Delays- The airport at Varanasi will see shallow fog. The humidity level will be in 80s during morning hours.
Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Airport, Patna
No Delays- Patna could have shallow fog in pockets including the airport area during night and early morning hours but flight arrivals and departures will remain on course.
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata
No delays – There is no chance of formation of fog over Kolkata. Though the sky may become partly cloudy at times.
Bangalore Airport
No delays – The weather in Bangalore airport remains flyer friendly as fog is not expected in Bangalore. The wind speed is high and minimum temperatures are high as well
Photograph by allenthepostman
Rain in Delhi is likely to make a comeback possibly by Saturday. Northwestern region could again see a surge in wet sessions from 15th of February onwards. Hailstorm in plains and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are expected by then. The rainfall would shift gradually towards eastern India thereafter.
A Western Disturbance (WD) is expected to arrive over the Western Himalayan region from 15th February that could again unleash rainfall and snow over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and over the plains of Punjab, Haryana, north Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh for next three days. The weather in Delhi will also change due to the effect of the Western Disturbance. Rain in Delhi will be witnessed anytime from 14th of February onwards. Hailstorm could also occur in Delhi and adjoining regions.
The amount of snow and rain would depend on the strength of the weather system, basically a trough of low pressure area that travels east-northeastwards from its place of origin (the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Winter rain in Delhi attributes to this weather system. The weather in Delhi during winter becomes cooler after departure of the Western Disturbance.
Till then, the weather in Delhi along with other areas in northwest plains will see a rise in night temperatures by 2 to 3 degrees during the next two days. Continuous heating of the surface has sent day temperatures soaring above normal in the region as well as in central India. Night temperatures are increasing under the influence of the present Western Disturbance over Jammu & Kashmir.
The ongoing Western Disturbance is feeble and will not bring significant rain considering what we saw at the start of last week. Though the higher altitudes will see increase in snowfall and rain during the next 72 hours.
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are witnessing a confrontation of southeasterly and northerly to northwesterly winds. This will continue to give rain at one or two places during the next two days.
South Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep will continue to receive rain during the next two days. The southern Peninsular region has two low pressure areas on both its east and west flanks. The southwest Bay of Bengal has a trough of low pressure area near south Tamil Nadu and Kerala while Lakshadweep has one that runs up to south Maharashtra coast.
It has been proven in a study by Nature Neuroscience that children born in a particular season are more likely to have a dramatic and persistent effect on how their biological clocks function. This therefore could have long-term effects on their personality. The experiment provides the first evidence for seasonal imprinting of biological clocks in mammals. Here professor of Biological Sciences, Douglas McMahon explains that people born in the winter months have a higher risk of a number of neurological disorders including seasonal affective disorder, commonly known as SAD or winter depression, bipolar depression and even schizophrenia.
In the experiment, mice were raised from birth to weaning in artificial winter or summer light cycles. They were placed in constant darkness and their activity patterns were observed. The winter-born mice showed a consistent slowing of their daily activity period, regardless of whether they had been maintained on a winter light cycle, or had been shifted to the summer cycle after weaning. It was observed that the biological clocks and behavior of summer-born mice remained stable while that of the winter-born mice varied widely according to the change in seasons.
This ‘seasonal biology’ of drastic change in behavior of the mice can directly be linked to that of humans as the biological clock regulates mood in humans. Though it is quite striking how closely the neurons of the mice’s brain are similar to humans but it will not be completely wrong to say that the change in season, if not the birth month alone, has a major impact on the increasing psychological disorders in humans nowadays.
