The state of Madhya Pradesh is reeling under freezing cold. The minimum temperatures are in single digits across the state and even under five degrees at some places. The eastern half of the state seems to be colder than the west. The seasonal anticyclone over Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh has been displaced eastward and cold winds from the northern plains are sweeping most parts of the state. The east-west oriented Vindhyas and Satpura mountain ranges are accelerating the cold snap and parts of the state are subjected to cold wave conditions. The lowest temperature in the plains of the country 1.6°C was recorded at Rajgarh, West Madhya Pradesh.
The minimum temperatures have dropped to less than 4°C at some places and few other stations measured temperatures 4-5°C below the normal, amounting to cold wave conditions. The lowest temperatures at some of the prominent places were: Mandla 3.2°C, Umaria 4.1°C, Pachmarhi 1.9°C, Raisen 5°C, Bhopal 5°C, Khajuraho 5.6°C, Jabalpur 5.6°C. Pachmarhi, off course has an elevation of about 3,000 feet.
There is a well-marked cyclonic circulation coming up over Rajasthan, as an induced system of western disturbance across the mountains. The circulation will shift over the west and central parts of the state on 11th January 2025. The cold flow of the winds from the north will get arrested and slightly warm and moist winds will feed the circulation. This change will abate the cold wave conditions and trigger scattered rain and thundershowers over many parts of the state on the 11th and 12th Jan. More likely places will include Gwalior, Guna, Ashok Nagar, Shivpuri, Tikamgarh, Bhind, Morena, Panna, Rewa, Sagar, Khajuraho and a few other stations. Weather conditions will improve on 13th Jan. But, the pause in the activity may be short and sweet and rains may revisit some parts on 14th & 15th Jan. 2025.
