As December comes to a close and the new year approaches, cold waves are set to sweep across several parts of India.
New Delhi: As December comes to a close and the new year approaches, cold waves are set to sweep across several parts of India. According to a press release issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday, cold wave conditions are expected to begin in parts of North India from December 29, 2024.
Issuing a cold wave warning, the IMD stated that cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are very likely in some parts of Himachal Pradesh on December 30 and 31. Cold wave conditions are expected in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh from December 29 to January 1, in Punjab and Haryana-Chandigarh from December 29 to January 3, and over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad and Rajasthan on December 30 and 31.
Cold wave conditions likely to grip North India from…, temperature to go down by..; Check IMD weather forecast
“Dense fog conditions very likely to prevail during late night/early morning hours in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh during 29th-31st; Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh on 30th& 31st , Uttar Pradesh till 31st; Rajasthan 30th December01st January; Madhya Pradesh till 01st January; Bihar, Orisha on 28th & 29th; Jharkhand till 30th; Sub-Himalayan West Bengal during 30th December- 02nd January; Assam & Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura till 02nd January,” IMD said.
Ground frost conditions very likely in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh
IMD further added, ‘Ground frost conditions very likely in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh during 29th-31st December.’ The Met Department on Saturday said the temperatures in Western and Eastern Uttar Pradesh are likely to drop further by Sunday as the rain clears up. Saturday saw rain accompanied by thunderstorms at some places.
From December 29 to January 1, isolated cold wave conditions are expected in Himachal Pradesh, while Punjab and Haryana will experience similar conditions until January 3. On the other hand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Rajasthan may also face cold wave conditions on December 30 and 31.
Temperatures are expected to drop across various regions of India in the coming days. Northwest India will see a decrease of 3-5°C in minimum temperatures over the next two days, with conditions stabilizing thereafter. West and Central India will experience a similar decline in temperatures over a span of three days, following 24 hours of stability. In East India, temperatures will remain steady for two days before dropping by 2-4°C.
Earlier on Saturday, severe cold day conditions were reported in parts of Himachal Pradesh, with isolated areas likely to experience similar conditions on Sunday. Cold day conditions are also forecast for Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, and Rajasthan on December 29.
Speaking of cold wave conditions, Srinagar received heavy snowfall on Saturday and the summer capital of JK was covered in a blanket of snow. Doda too was covered in a blanket of snow as the area received fresh snowfall on Friday night. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast isolated light rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir until December 30, adding to the region’s allure for winter tourism.
From December 29 onwards, a renewed cold wave is expected to impact the plains, including Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Una districts. These areas, along with Mandi, Kullu, and Chamba, are likely to remain under the influence of severe cold conditions until January 1. Dense fog is also expected in isolated locations on January 1, further reducing visibility and worsening travel conditions.
Delhi records highest December rainfall in 15 years, mercury drops to 14.6 degree Celsius
Rain lashed Delhi-NCR throughout Friday with the city recording its highest December rainfall in the last 15 years and the mercury dropping sharply to 14.6 degree celsius, the weather department said, PTI reported. The total rainfall for December stands at 42.8 mm, marking the highest rainfall this month in the last 15 years, based on data from 2009 to 2024 available on the weather department’s website. Meanwhile, the all-time highest December rainfall was recorded in 1884, when the city received 134.4 mm of rain.
Weather forecast over Delhi/NCR till December 31, 2024 as per IMD
December 29: Mainly clear sky. The predominant surface wind is likely to be from north direction with speed less than 04 kmph during morning hours. Smog/ dense fog in most of the places and very dense fog in isolated places is likely in the morning. The wind speed will gradually increase becoming 06-08 kmph from northwest direction during afternoon. It will decrease thereafter becoming less than 04 kmph from northwest direction during evening and night. Smog/shallow fog is likely in the evening/night.
December 30: Mainly clear sky. The predominant surface wind is likely to be from northwest direction with wind speed less than 06 kmph during morning hours. Smog/dense fog in most of the places and very dense fog in isolated places is likely in the morning. The wind speed will increase thereafter becoming 08-10 kmph from northwest direction during afternoon. It will gradually decrease becoming less than 06 kmph from northwest direction during evening and night. Smog/shallow fog is likely in the evening/night.
December 31: Mainly clear sky. The predominant surface wind is likely to be from northwest direction with wind speed less than 06 kmph during morning hours. Smog/moderate fog in most of the places and dense fog in isolated places is likely in the morning. The wind speed will increase thereafter becoming 10-12 kmph from northwest direction during afternoon. It will
gradually decrease becoming less than 08 kmph from northwest direction during evening and night. Smog/shallow fog is likely in the evening/night.
