IMD warns of severe winter as La Nina sets in

The IMD has warned of an extreme winter this year

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of an extreme winter this year, following the onset of the La Nina phenomenon in September. La Nina, which typically appears toward the end of the monsoon season, is known for causing a significant drop in temperatures and increased rainfall, raising concerns of a harsh winter ahead.

La Nina, meaning "the girl" in Spanish, is the cooler counterpart to El Niño, which causes warmer conditions. During La Nina, strong easterly winds push warm ocean waters westward, cooling the ocean surface, particularly in the equatorial Pacific. This cooling effect contrasts sharply with El Niño’s warming pattern.

Both La Nina and El Niño, which develop between April and June and peak from October to February, significantly impact global weather patterns. While El Niño brings warmer air and ocean temperatures, La Nina has the opposite effect, cooling the ocean and atmosphere.