December of 2022 was the warmest on the record. Now, February 2023 turns out to be warmest in last 122 years, i.e. since 1901. In fact, we have data of temperatures since 1901. Monthly national average of maximum temperature reached 29.54 degrees. It is 1.73 degrees above normal over the country. Average minimum temperature also remained 0.81 degrees above normal.
Average maximum temperature over Northwest India was 24.86 whereas the average maximum temperature of Delhi was 27.7 degrees. Monthly average minimum temperature over the country was the fifth highest during February since 1901. 2016 was hottest with average minimum of 16.82 degrees. This year average minimum temperature is 16.31 degrees.
Picture does not seem to be rosy in the coming months also. As per long range forecast March, April and May will witness higher than average temperatures. Frequency and intensity of heat waves may also we more than average. This is not good news for kharif crops. World is heating up higher than expected. We can attribute these changes to global warming and climate change. Increase in greenhouse gases leads to warming of atmosphere.
When winter season ends, it gives way to spring season and thereafter summer season. Since the last few years we have been witnessing that spring season is shrinking and transformation from winter to summer has been very quick.
