Delhi records warmest December in 6 years, raising anticipation for the arrival of cold wave

The lowest minimum temperature was 4.9ºC recorded on December 15, says IMD.

As north India experienced its warmest December in the past six years, the weather department has issued a cautionary notice regarding potential cold wave conditions in central regions of the country for January. The forecast also indicated the likelihood of dense fog covering portions of northwest and east India until January 4.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra forecasted normal rainfall during the January-February-March period, mentioning that 2023 was the second warmest year since 1901, with the annual mean air temperature being 0.65 degrees Celsius above normal.

The hottest year since 1901 was 2016, with the country's average air temperature being 0.710 degrees Celsius higher than usual. Mohapatra predicts that most areas in the country will have warmer mornings, while central and northwestern parts are expected to have cooler days.

Also read: North India under cold grip, light to heavy rainfall may take place across India in next 24 hours

The IMD marks a “cold day” or a “severe cold day” when the maximum temperature is below the normal by 4.5 degrees or more. Similarly, a “cold wave” or “severe cold wave” is recorded when the minimum temperature is below the normal by 4.5 degrees or more.

According to the Indian Express, Delhi did not experience any "cold days" or "severe cold days" this year. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that the average maximum temperature for the month was 24.1 degrees, surpassing the usual mean for the month, which is 22.8 degrees, by 1.8 degrees.

What can Delhi expect in January?

Delhi has not received a cold wave alert, and only a yellow alert indicating a cold day was issued on January 1. However, for the following four days, no alerts have been issued. The IMD forecasts "mainly clear sky and shallow fog in the morning" until January 5.

The IMD, however, has forecasted "dense to very dense fog and cold day to severe cold day conditions at a few places" for Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi.

According to news agency PTI, the national capital witnessed an unexpectedly "coolest May" in 2023. The average maximum temperature in Delhi for May 2023 was recorded at 36.8 degrees Celsius, marking the lowest since 1987. The IMD's regional forecasting centre confirmed this piece of information, noting that Delhi's average maximum temperature for May in 1987 was 36 degrees Celsius.

Why was Delhi’s December warm?

The reduced rainfall and snowfall in various parts of the country in December could be a contributing factor to the unusually cool May in 2023. According to the weather office, "the normal rainfall during the month is 8.1 mm at Safdarjung Observatory. However, during this month, a trace was recorded. The actual rainfall was 100.0 percent below the long period average.”

IMD official Kuldeep Srivastava said western disturbances were not strong enough to cause significant snowfall in western Himalayan region. He told the Times of India, "Only light snowfall was recorded in December and snow melted easily. Whenever there is a good snowfall, the north-westerly winds bring chilly winds to Delhi."