Northern mountains are shivering with stinging cold since 2nd half of November. Absence of any active western disturbance has scrubbed the region with dry and icy cold winds, more so for Ladakh and Kashmir. Srinagar dived deep to sub zero on 23rd Nov and remains so till now, sinking to the lowest of -2.1deg yesterday. Neighbouring resorts of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Qazi Gund have also plunged to sub zero for quite a few days now. However , Manali, the favourite destination in Himachal Pradesh is just missing the freezing point and lowered down to 0.6deg on 2 successive days. Shimla always lags by over 2 weeks to glaciate. Even, Mussoorie and Nainital drag on till mid December or beyond to join the club of 'freeze'.
Lack of western disturbances have also left the plains without any clouds and precipitation. Chilly and wilted winds, blowing down the mountain slopes have made the plains quiver, though in the morning hours only. Entire belt of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are witnessing pleasantly warm days with mild breeze. Thick layer of mist and fog is yet to cover the region for extended duration.
As expected, rains are confined to the daring south with Tamil Nadu and Kerala bearing the brunt. Moderate rains have lashed Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu in the past 24 hours. More rains are expected today and tomorrow. Coastal parts of Karnataka may also heave light sprinkle. Fresh spell of rains with a fair amount of spread and intensity are likely to strap South Peninsula, commencing end of this week and later.