IMD Weather: The country will experience severe cold this year, as 86% of the upper Himalayas are covered in snow two months ahead of schedule. According to IMD, due to the recent Western Disturbance, temperatures across the Himalayas have remained 2 to 3°C below normal.
This is why the fresh snow is not melting at present. This is a good sign. La Niña is becoming active in December. This is a seasonal phenomenon when the Pacific Ocean's temperature becomes colder than normal. This causes good rainfall and colder weather in India.
Average temperature in upper Himalayas is minus 15°C
The average temperature in the upper Himalayas, i.e., areas above 4,000 feet, is minus 15°C or lower. Due to La Niña, the average temperature in the northern, central, and eastern regions may drop by 3-4°C further.
Meanwhile, a noticeable difference in day and night temperatures is evident in Rajasthan. Sikar recorded a minimum night temperature below 15°C.
In Uttarakhand, snow has begun to accumulate on the mountains near the Kedarnath shrine.
According to IMD, the recent snowfall also indicates the improving health of the glaciers. Due to the low temperatures in the Himalayas, the snow is not melting this time. This will recharge the glaciers for five years. The sources of rivers across North India will not dry up.
A blanket of white snow has covered the entire high Himalayas, from Sikkim, Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh to Nepal. The snow catchment area has also increased. Consequently, temperatures have begun to drop in the middle and lower Himalayan regions and plains since October.
Scientific data shows that the average surface temperature of the Indian subcontinent has increased by 0.99° Celsius in the last 122 years. However, this increase will temporarily reverse by the end of 2025, as La Niña is expected to cause the global average temperature to drop by 0.2° Celsius.
Winter has arrived in Madhya Pradesh early
Winter has arrived in Madhya Pradesh early. Bhopal recorded a minimum temperature of 15.8°C, which is 3.6°C below normal. This is the third time in the last 26 years that Bhopal has recorded such low temperatures in the first fortnight of October.
The monsoon has departed from all of Madhya Pradesh. On Monday, it also departed from Singrauli, Sidhi, Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur, Dindori, Mandla, Balaghat, Jabalpur, Chhindwara, and Pandhurna. This year, the monsoon was active for 3 months and 28 days. The monsoon entered the state on June 16. However, even though the monsoon has returned, the rain will continue.