Plains of North India have recorded minimum temperatures of under 10degree at many places. Around this time of the year, mercury start rising to double digit, particularly for locations away from border areas and foothills. Capital city Delhi also has a normal of about 11 degree in the 3rd week of February and it rises further to 12 degree in the closing days of February.
Single digit temperatures have been registered at many locations of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. However, none of these stations have plunged to 5 degree or less. Majha region and western parts of Malwa in Punjab has been the coldest during past 24hr. Significant among these were Pathankot (8.4deg), Amritsar( 8.7deg), Bhatinda( 6.2deg) and Firozepore( 7.5deg). Broadly, Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran in Majha area and Bhatinda, Firozepore, Fazilka, Muktsar, Moga and Faridkot remained shade colder than the rest parts.
Haryana also registered under 10degree temperatures at Karnal(9.3), Hissar(9.7), Narnaul(9.5) and Sirsa(8.2). Rajasthan had limited stations with under 10degree. Churu and Bhilwara recorded 5.6deg and 8.9deg respectively.
Western disturbance as a weak trough is moving across the northern mountains. Minimum temperatures have risen marginally across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan in the past 24hr. Minor upward fluctuations are likely over the next 2 days. Another western disturbance is likely to approach between 18th and 21st Feb.
The upcoming western disturbance will be more active and have an induced circulation over north Punjab and Rajasthan. Under its influence, wind pattern will change to easterlies across plains of North India including Delhi. The minimum temperatures will rise further to stay in double digit at most places, except few like Bathinda and Ferozepur. Many locations will have mercury climbing to 12-14degree during this period. This weather system will start clearing on 22nd Feb, albeit for a brief period of 2days. Yet another western disturbance will closely follow and take over the baton.
There may not be sufficient break between the 2 western disturbance to plunge the mercury levels once again, to revert the winter chill. Month of February will close under the shadow of frequent passage of western disturbances. Month of March, as such, is synonymous with seasonal upgrade of temperatures. Accordingly, the winter chill which made a comeback in the last few days, may bid adieu and take leave from the northern plains for good, after 3rd week of the month.
