During the first few days of February, minimum temperatures across central parts of the country were on a rising spree. This is a common phenomenon during the approach of Western disturbance. Northerly cold and dry winds are replaced by easterly and south-westerly humid winds leading to rise in minimums.
This Western disturbance has dumped heavy snowfall over Western Himalayas and scattered rain activities over northern plains associated with hailstorms. After the passage of the Western disturbance, wind direction has changed once again to northwesterly. These cold winds are instrumental in dropping the minimums across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi as well as over central parts of the country.
Many districts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have witnessed a drop of 3 to 5 degrees. Eastern parts of Gujarat also witnessed a fall in minimums. The minimum temperature of Churu, Sikar and Bhilwara have dropped below 5 degrees. Now, cold wave conditions have appeared over many parts of Rajasthan. Temperatures of Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha along with Chhattisgarh also dropped by 4-6 degrees leading to winter chill once again.
Expect temperatures of the Northwest and Central parts of the country to fall further during the next 24 to 48 hours. Therefore, winter is here to stay for some more time.