Madhya Pradesh has had unusually warm weather this January, with several cities exceeding 30°C. However, the Meteorological Department has forecasted a significant change after January 25, with a return of severe cold. The change is due to the shift in wind direction from south-eastern to northern winds, bringing cold air and lower temperatures over the next week.
Current weather trends
For the past six days, Madhya Pradesh has been experiencing warmer than usual temperatures. Cities like Jabalpur, Khargone, and Khandwa reported day temperatures above 30 °C. On January 23, Mandla’s day temperature was 31.5°C, while Khandwa and Khargone saw temperatures near 31°C. However, the nighttime temperatures remained cool, dropping to around 16°C in some cities.
Here’s a summary of the temperatures recorded in key cities of Madhya Pradesh:
City | Day Temperature (°C) | Night Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|
Mandla | 31.5 | – |
Khandwa | 31.1 | – |
Khargone | 31.0 | – |
Jabalpur | 30.4 | – |
Indore | – | 16.2 |
Bhopal | – | 10.0 |
Ujjain | – | 13.8 |
Gwalior | – | 12.4 |
Pachmarhi | – | 8.3 |
Weather change expected
According to Dr. Ved Prakash Singh, a senior meteorologist, “the current weather is influenced by a cyclonic circulation and a western disturbance, causing warm, south-eastern winds. After January 25, the wind direction will shift to the north, bringing cold air from the northern regions. This will lead to a drop in both day and night temperatures by 2 to 3°C across the state.”
The Meteorological Department predicts this cold spell will last the entire week, significantly reducing temperatures in affected cities. The change will impact the following cities, where January temperatures have been high:
Gwalior and Chambal regions: Historically, these areas experience the coldest weather due to northern winds. In the past 10 years, Gwalior recorded temperatures as low as 1.9°C in 2018 and 2.4°C in 2019. On January 24, 1954, Gwalior’s temperature dipped to -1.1°C.
Indore: Known for its cold winters, the lowest recorded temperature was -1.1°C on January 16, 1935. Recently, temperatures have hovered between 13°C and 16°C at night, with a cold snap expected later in the week.
Bhopal: Bhopal has seen fluctuating January temperatures, with a historical low of 0.6°C on January 18, 1935. This year, the weather has been slightly warmer, but temperatures are likely to drop further due to incoming northern winds.
January rainfall trends
Rainfall is significant in Madhya Pradesh’s January weather. In the last 10 years, the state has witnessed rain on several occasions this month. On January 6, 2004, the highest 24-hour rainfall recorded was 2 inches. Significant rainfall has been recorded in Gwalior and other cities, often affecting daily activities.
Here’s a brief look at the historical rainfall data for some cities in Madhya Pradesh:
City | Highest 24-Hour Rainfall (inches) | Year |
|---|---|---|
Bhopal | 2.0 | 2004 |
Indore | 3.0 | 1920 |
Jabalpur | 2.5 | 1919 |
Gwalior | 2.1 | 1926 |
Ujjain | 1.25 | 1987 |
January has seen abnormally warm weather in Madhya Pradesh, but the cold is expected to return after January 25 with a significant temperature drop. This change will be caused by northern winds, leading to a dip in day and night temperatures. Severe cold is expected throughout the upcoming week. This shift will bring a slight chance of rain in some areas, but the main effect will be the intense cold.
Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.
Keep Reading
California Fires Live updates: destructive wildfires in history
Hollywood Hills burning video is fake and AI generated
Devastating wildfire in California: wind, dry conditions to blame?
Los Angeles Cracks Under Water Pressure
From tourist paradise to waste wasteland: Sindh River Cry for help
Follow Ground Report on X, Instagram and Facebook for environmental and underreported stories from the margins. Give us feedback on our email id greport2018@gmail.com.
Don’t forget to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Join our community on WhatsApp, and Follow our YouTube Channel for video stories.
