The India Meteorological Department has issued warnings for Gwalior, Sheopur, Bhind, Morena, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, and Chhatarpur districts. Residents in these areas should prepare for wet weather as a Western Disturbance system moves across northern India, bringing significant changes to the state’s weather patterns.
Clouds Provide Relief from Winter Heat
Thursday saw dramatic changes across the state as thick clouds covered several districts including Bhopal, Narmadapuram, Sehore, Raisen, and Vidisha. The cloud cover brought relief from daytime heat and ushered in cold winds throughout the region.
Bhopal recorded a minimum temperature of 11.2 degrees Celsius on the night of January 21-22. While no rain is forecast for the capital on Friday, clouds will persist throughout the day. If precipitation occurs, it will mark the first rainfall of this season in Bhopal.
The state has remained dry since the monsoon season ended in September. Neither November nor December brought any rainfall to Madhya Pradesh, making the expected January showers particularly significant for the region.
Western Disturbance Drives Weather Changes
Dr. Divya E. Surendran, a senior weather scientist, explained that weather patterns have shifted since Thursday. The northern parts of the state face the highest chances of rainfall on Friday. Another Western Disturbance is expected to affect northwest India starting January 26, and this system appears particularly strong.
A Western Disturbance is a weather system bringing wind and clouds from the west. When these systems activate, they typically cause snowfall in hilly regions and rain in plains. After the system passes, cold northern winds follow, intensifying the chill both day and night.
Light to moderate fog is expected in morning hours over the next two days. On Thursday, dense fog reduced visibility in Gwalior, Satna, Rewa, Guna, Indore, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Ujjain, Khajuraho, Mandla, Narsinghpur, Naugaon, and Seoni. The weather department has not predicted severe cold conditions for the immediate future.
Karundi Records Lowest Temperature
Karundi in Katni district emerged as the coldest location in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday-Thursday night, with temperatures plunging to 4.9 degrees Celsius. Several other districts also experienced single-digit minimums, with Naugaon recording 6.5 degrees, Umaria at 6.9 degrees, and Rewa at 7 degrees Celsius.
December and January are historically the coldest months in Madhya Pradesh. Data from the past decade shows that these two months bring the most intense cold as northerly winds sweep across the state. According to meteorological records, just as the monsoon depends heavily on June and July for 60 percent of its rainfall, winter depends on December and January for its coldest temperatures.
Temperature Forecast Across Major Cities
| City | Temperature (°C) | Weather Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 11.2 | Cloudy skies, no rain expected |
| Indore | 13.6 | Cloudy conditions likely |
| Ujjain | 13.8 | Cloudy skies expected |
| Gwalior | 9.0 | Rain and hail warning |
| Jabalpur | 10.9 | Cloudy conditions |
| Karundi (Katni) | 4.9 | Cold conditions continue |
| Naugaon | 6.5 | Cold with fog |
| Umaria | 6.9 | Cold conditions |
| Rewa | 7.0 | Fog expected |
| Khajuraho | 7.4 | Fog and cold winds |
Last January saw many districts receive rainfall due to similar Western Disturbance activity. This year began with cloudy conditions on New Year’s Day, and the rain-cloud season has intensified in the final week of the month. Residents in alert districts should stay updated on weather warnings and take necessary precautions against potential hailstorms.
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