Talking in simple terms, we can say that Cold Wave condition is that when there is a rapid and considerable drop in minimum temperatures. Thus, we can say that it is a twofold criteria for Cold Wave condition to happen- the rate at which temperature falls and secondly the minimum to which it falls.
In the last week of December, many parts of the country particularly, North and Central India were experiencing Cold Wave conditions covering Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, parts of West Uttar Pradesh and many parts of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra as well as Gujarat. State of Telangana cannot be ruled out from this.
The Cold Wave conditions continued till January 1 and in some parts even up till January 4. Since then, temperatures have started increasing over most parts. Reason for rise in temperature were commencement of successive passage of Western Disturbances. Western Disturbances affected the northern and central parts of the country, directly and indirectly, as cold northerly winds were replaced by warm wind from east and south-east direction. Hence, resulting in increase in minimums.
As per the records, the minimums of Telangana and Odisha also showed rising trend due to commencement of south-easterlies from Bay of Bengal which resulted in abatement of Cold Wave conditions from those areas. The coming of Western Disturbance also affected temperatures of South Rajasthan and Gujarat as winds over that area started blowing from south-west direction. These winds were warm and humid nature as they were traveling from the Arabian Sea.
Seems like all these scenarios were responsible for abatement of Cold Wave from the entire country. However, since last 24-48 hours, temperatures of both, day and night of Northwest, Central and East India are on a decline. Although, the Cold Wave conditions have not made a comeback but the drop in temperatures is in order of 3-5°C
The temperatures of Telangana also dropped by three to four degrees in last two days. Now, due to fall in temperatures, parts of West Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana are witnessing Cold Wave conditions. Minimums are below normal by three to four degrees over many places.
The marginal drop in temperature is expected to continue for another two days over the Northwest Plains and for almost three days over eastern states of the country, Maharashtra and Telangana. However, January 11 onward, the minimums will once again see an uprising trend as south-easterlies will commence over South Peninsula. Also, the Western Disturbance will start affecting Western Himalayas leading to rise in temperatures of North-west and Central India. Thus, we can now say that we do not expect Cold Wave conditions to make a comeback anywhere in the country except isolated pockets of West Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Odisha.
Image Credit: India TV News
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