We’re almost touching mid-January and barring a few days, Delhi weather has been relatively warm this winter. An unconvincing winter continues over the national capital with above normal temperatures keeping most woolens in the closet.
The science behind this unusually warm winter in Delhi may be a little too much for an ‘average Joe’. We tried to simplify things for everyone and were able to outline five key reasons behind an untraceable ‘Dilli Ki Sardi’ this season.
1. Dry Winters
Warm winters are usually dry winters with very little to no weather activity reaching the plains of Northwest India. Only two insignificant spells of rain were recorded in Delhi-NCR during this winter. As a result, above normal temperatures across the region never really received a ‘push’. In fact, last year in 2015, Delhi recorded its driest December since 2008. Picture that!
2. Under-performing Western Disturbances (WDs)
The notorious WDs must be held responsible for a below par winter here in Delhi. WDs this season were either ‘too frequent’ (not allowing icy winds to approach Delhi) or remained weak and gave very few spells of heavy snowfall in the hills. As a result, under-performing WDs added to Delhi’s warmer winter woes.
3. Fog Not Visible
Foggy conditions in Delhi are generally associated with lower levels of visibility. However this year, due to lower humidity levels, fog itself wasn’t visible in Delhi. The national capital recorded zero visibility only on a couple of occasions this season. Flight cancellations and train delays also remained on the lower side. With very little to no fog layering up over Delhi, Delhiites refused to accept this season as ‘winters’.
4. El-Nino Factor
Possibly the strongest El-Nino on record, this year’s event affected Southwest Monsoon in India to a great degree. If that was not enough, El-Nino continues to affect winter in India. Many experts have linked an intensifying El-Nino with warmer weather conditions across the globe. It’s easy to guess that the northern plains of India are no exception.
ALSO READ: What is El-Nino and what are its effects?
5. ‘Bright’ Sunny Days
If you’ve been in Delhi long enough, you must be well-versed with hazy sunny days for most part of the season. Bright sunny days were always welcomed by Delhiites during ‘normal’ winters. But this season’s warmer winters experienced a higher number of ‘bright’ sunny days, which were never countered by icy winds, from the hills in the North. As a result, there was a lot of sun too soak up this season, probably a lot more than anticipated.
(Featured Image Credit: ndtv.com)
(Main Image Credit: thediplomat.com)