Chilling cold over plains of North India has sharpened further with Bathinda (Punjab) and Narnaul (Haryana) slipping to freezing level today morning. The glacial club on the last day of December 2020 has expanded to 5 members clocking 0°C or low in this season so far. Narnaul measured a minimum temperature of -0.5°C and Bathinda recorded the lowest of this season at 0°C.
Earlier Churu and Sikar in Rajasthan and Hisar in Haryana reached the freezing point in this season with their lowest temperature of -1.5°, -0.5° and 0°C respectively. Pilani in Rajasthan and Amritsar in Punjab had missed the mark by a whisker recording lowest temperature of 0.2°C and 0.4°C respectively. Severe cold wave conditions have been prevailing over the entire northern plains for the last few days. Along with cold wave, also cold day conditions persisted over most parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi region. Under 12°C day temperature were recorded at Kapurthala, Anandpur Sahib, Ambala, Karnal, Chandigarh and few more stations. These conditions are likely to worsen today enlarging the peripheral of cold day envelope. The national capital is also expected to end 2020 on a cold note registering day temperature lower than 16°C.
Rainy spell is waiting in the wings to splash the entire northern plains with rain and thundershower accompanied with hail and lightening between 03rd and 06th January. More intense weather is expected on 4th and January 2021. These sub-zero temperature will then take a break and rise by 4-6°C across the region.