Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a notably colder winter ahead, with large parts of central India and adjoining northwest and peninsular regions likely to experience normal to below-normal temperatures over the next three months. During an online briefing, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that above-normal maximum temperatures may occur in the western Himalayan region, the Himalayan foothills, the northeast, and select pockets of eastern and western India.
The IMD expects more cold wave days than usual this season in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and parts of Maharashtra. These states typically record four to six cold wave days between December and February, but the agency is anticipating four to five extra days this year.
Mohapatra said, "During the upcoming winter season (December 2025 to February 2026), normal to below-normal minimum temperatures are likely over most parts of central India and adjoining peninsular and northwest India. Above-normal minimum temperatures are likely over the remaining parts of the country."
He added that maximum temperatures are projected to stay within the normal to below-normal range across most areas.
This year’s first spell of cold to severe cold wave conditions arrived earlier than usual, occurring between November 8 and 18 in pockets of west, central and adjoining east India. The affected regions included northeast Rajasthan, south Haryana, north Madhya Pradesh, south Uttar Pradesh and north Chhattisgarh. North interior Maharashtra also reported cold wave days on November 15 and 20.
Mohapatra said another round of cold wave conditions is expected from December 3 to 5 across parts of northwest and central India. He also noted, "We are expecting weak La Niña conditions to continue during the December to February period.”
La Niña, associated with the cooling of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, influences global weather patterns. In India, it often strengthens monsoon performance and contributes to colder-than-usual winters, especially in the northern states.
Throughout November, most of India experienced normal to below-normal temperatures, barring areas in the southeast peninsula, the northeast, and some regions in the far northwest. According to the IMD, four western disturbances passed over north India during the month. However, most of these systems remained dry despite originating from the Mediterranean region and travelling across the Himalayan belt.
