Dry and cold northwesterly winds sliding down the slopes of mountains and plains of Punjab & Haryana has plunged the minimum temperatures to season’s lowest over some parts of Rajasthan. Pilani, Alwar, Ganganagar and Churu recorded low single digit temperatures and also the lowest of this season so far. Sikar, for the first time in the season dropped to sub zero and recorded minimum of -0.5°C, again, the lowest of this season. Neighboring region of Haryana is also dipping the mercury levels. Narnaul recorded lowest of 2.5°C, observing sharpest drop of this season, so far, and amounting to cold wave conditions.
East Rajasthan has recorded minimum temperatures lower than the West Rajasthan. Extreme cold conditions are prevailing at many stations. The mercury levels have dipped to 4-6°C, below the normal. Prominent places being Sikar -0.5°C (-5), Churu 1°C (-4), Alwar 2.2°(-6), Pilani 2.2°C (-4). Sriganganagar dipped to 4.3°C, the lowest of this season so far. Even, the border posts of Rajasthan have gone substantially below the normal. Barmer and Jaisalmer measured 6.9°C and 7°C, about 3°C below the normal.
Sikar and Churu, invariably remain the coldest stations of the state. Both have past record of going sub-zero in the month of January, albeit during second half of the month. Last year in January, Sikar recorded freezing temperatures on 3 occasions with the lowest of -2°C on 16thJan. Churu had gone sub-zero on 6 occasions, with the lowest of -2.7°C on 17th Jan.
A weak western disturbance is approaching the northern mountains tomorrow and another one on 16thJan. These systems will not have any visible manifestation of weather activity over the plains of North India. However, this will arrest the cold blast down the slopes. Accordingly, mercury will rise over states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Cold wave conditions, wherever prevailing are likely to abate. And, no fresh cold wave is likely for the next 5-6 days.