Why is Delhi going through an extra cold December?

3,348 views · Published 27 December 2018 · 1:15 · Indexed 26 September 2026

Channel: Down To Earth · 2018 · Science & Technology

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Why is Delhi going through an extra cold December?
At 3.7 degrees Celsius, Delhi has already recorded its coldest December morning in the last 12 years. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that in coming days the temperature can fall below 3 degrees Celsius.

This dip is attributed to cold wave conditions prevailing over north-west India.
Cold wave conditions form due to lack of western disturbances.
Western disturbances create precipitation and bring down day. temperatures, but night temperatures remain steady.
Once the western disturbances pass, day temperatures increase but night temperatures dip significantly. Parts of the plains of north-west, central and west India might encounter cold wave and ground frost conditions.
In January 2018, the cold wave claimed 100 lives in north India. Seven of the last 10 years have experienced cold waves. They have killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in the severe winter months of December and January. Uttar Pradesh is the most affected state.
These cold wave conditions will continue until the end of December 2018.

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