Cold wave in north India: Is it normal?

Biting cold conditions have gripped several parts of north and northwest India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of severe cold waves in some parts of north Rajasthan and cold wave conditions in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Punjab until tomorrow. Kashmir is currently in the grip of its 40-day harshest winter period. This is the time when water bodies and even water supply lines freeze. This cold wave in Kashmir begins on December 21 and ends on January 30.Delhi has seen low temperatures over the past three days. The capital celebrated its chilliest Christmas day in at least eight years with icy north-westerly winds and light fog, ushering the season’s first cold day conditions.You can see its effect even in cricket. The Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy cricketers are braving Delhi’s harsh weather with monkey caps. Are these weather conditions unusual?The Times of India’s Environment Editor says it’s not unusual. If you look at past records, or even the temperature levels during this period last year, you will see that it’s not unusual. Temperature falls to these levels in the entire northwest India and north India. People feel it as harsh because we did not face such a weather till the first quarter of December. The temperature has suddenly come down. This is normal. Tamil Nadu cricketers seek extra cover to bat against the cold wave in Delhi. (Photo | PTI) We must understand how cold wave conditions are categorized. It signifies a certain amount of fall in the temperature at a given place with respect to normal climatological. India generally experiences cold wave conditions at this time.In the northern plains, it is considered a cold wave when the minimum temperature of a particular meteorological station falls below 10 degrees Celsius. In that sense also, the current temperatures are normal. What are the weather predictions for the coming weeks?If you look at today's temperature, it is warmer by a degree. But by the end of this year, we will feel the chill again. There’s warning of dense fog as well. There’s a possibility of reduction in very dense fog in northeast India from today, but the fog will return on New Year Eve and continue for four to five days. All airports in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh will face problems because of dense fog during the yearend and the first week of January. February will not be as cold. The minimum temperatures will increase during this time. There are reports of dense fog. Could it hamper people’s New Year travel plans? If you look at IMD’s predictions, the temperatures are inching close to normal. There will be Western disturbances towards the end of this year, and that will lead to snowfall over the hills. It will impact most of the areas in Punjab and other parts of the northeast India. So the dense fog warning for next five days shows a reduction in fog from today. It will return in the first week of January. So travellers must plan accordingly. Even IMD suggests people to check with the Airlines, the Railways, and the state transport departments before starting on a trip. Audio Production: Prateek Kapoor