Most parts of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi recorded coldest morning of the season yesterday. The minimum temperatures were up by whisker today across the region. These are likely to dip marginally after 48 hours. Days continue to be pleasant with sharp cold yet to be witnessed. Early morning chill, mist and shallow fog in patches, light breeze and hazy sunshine are the hallmarks of winter season so far. Thick of weather, casting cold days with cloud and rain, dense fog and piercing chill, normally follow after the plains and mountains get swept by active western disturbance.
Presently, the western disturbances are rather mild and confined largely to the mountains and that too, mid and higher reaches. Lowering of their track across the plains and uptick in the intensity, mostly occur around Christmas and New Year. Winter chill in the plains invariably coincides with ‘Chillai Kalan’ of Kashmir Valley.
Plains of north India have yet to receive a spell of decent winter rains in December. Western disturbance are not strong enough to penetrate deep and trigger dark clouds and splashy rains. Therefore, dry and moderate cold remains prevalent over most parts and the pattern is likely to continue for over a week or even longer.
Mild western disturbance, mainly as upper air system, is moving across the mountains. Clearance is likely in the next 24 hours and a fresh western disturbance of similar kind is likely to approach on 16thDecember. The plains of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi had earlier recorded lowest temperature of the season, yesterday. Mercury plunged to under 7°C at few places like Hisar 5.9°, Amritsar 6°C, Ludhiana & Firozpur 6.4°C, Karnal 6.8°C, Patiala 7°C and Delhi 6.5°C. The temperature has marginally risen because of passage of western disturbance. These are likely to dip again after about 48 hours. However, these are unlikely to plunge below 5°C and at best will hover around 6-7°C. Slight rise is likely again around the weekend, due to fresh system and drop again next week. No rainfall is expected in the plains till festive occasion of Christmas.
