January and February are the main winter months for North India. Winter rain drenches the northern plains, with February being the rainiest month. The month of March is the transition period for the plains of North India while it marks the onset of pre-Monsoon activities in South and Central India.
The Winter season sees some extreme temperatures. Minimums start slipping to single-digit from the month of December itself, while January observes some recording-breaking temperatures. This trend, to some extent, continues until mid of February, while temperatures start rising from the second half of the month.
On an average basis, January begins with minimums settling close to 7 degrees while ends with mercury reaching up to 9 degrees. February starts with minimums close to 9 degrees and ends with minimums settling close to 12 degrees Celsius. The lowest minimum in February for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 had been recorded at 8℃, 5.5℃ and 6℃, respectively.
The weather systems that form over the northern hills are responsible for bringing a large fluctuation in the temperatures of the northern plains. The tenure of these systems could be short, however, their frequency remains high, leading to short cold spells in the northern plains.
Forecast
There are still a few days left for Delhi to record double-digit minimums. According to meteorologists, no major system could be seen affecting the hills at present. There are some feeble systems, however, they have confined activities only to the Western Himalayas. Thus, in the absence of any major system, icy-cold winds from the north are continuously affecting the plains of North India.
In the wake of these winds, minimums are likely to settle in single-digits for next two to three days and thereafter inch closer to double digits. The day temperatures, meanwhile, are expected to settle close to 20 degrees, leading to pleasant days. However, due to cold northerlies, the winter chill is expected to remain intact for next few days.
February is expected to begin on a windy note with a flavour of winter chill. After February 10, the minimums are likely to ease out and mostly settle in double-digits. Comfortable weather lies ahead for the residents in second half of the month.
Image Credits – The Wire
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