AI Summary
Key Takeaways
- Madhya Pradesh recorded its coldest weather of the year on January 1 with Pachmarhi at 5.4°C and expects severe cold waves from January 3.
- Dense fog affected visibility in sixteen districts, with Datia reaching only 50 meters. The fog is predicted to intensify over the next few days.
- Transportation is disrupted as trains run 8 to 10 hours late due to harsh conditions, impacting thousands of passengers.
- The jet stream and Western Disturbance contributed to the extreme cold, with temperatures expected to continue dropping.
- Residents prepare for worsened winter conditions, marking this season as potentially one of the coldest in history.
Madhya Pradesh experienced its coldest weather of the year on January 1, with Pachmarhi recording the lowest temperature at 5.4 degrees Celsius. The state meteorological department has issued warnings that severe cold wave conditions will return after 24 hours, beginning January 3, affecting multiple districts across the northern region.
The hill station of Pachmarhi emerged as the coldest location in the state during the night of January 1. Kalyanpur in Shahdol district followed closely with a temperature of 6.4 degrees Celsius. The state capital Bhopal recorded 10.6 degrees Celsius on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1.
Fifteen locations across the state recorded temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, including Shivpuri, Khajuraho, Amarkantak, Rajgarh, Rewa, Indore, and Chhindwara.
Dense Fog Reduces Visibility to 50 Meters
Sixteen districts in northern Madhya Pradesh faced dense fog on Thursday morning. Datia recorded the worst visibility conditions, with fog reducing visibility to just 50 meters. Residents struggled to navigate roads and carry out daily activities due to the poor visibility.
Five districts including Sheopur, Morena, Gwalior, Bhind, and Datia experienced cloudy skies throughout the day. Additional fog covered Khajuraho, Satna, Naugaon, Sidhi, Guna, Ujjain, Ratlam, Narmadapuram, Khargone, and Damoh.
The meteorological department has warned that dense fog will intensify from January 3. The affected districts include Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Maihar, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, and Singrauli. These conditions will persist for three consecutive days on January 3, 4, and 5.
Train Services Disrupted by Harsh Conditions
Transportation services have faced significant disruptions due to the harsh winter conditions. Trains arriving from Delhi are running 8 to 10 hours behind schedule. The delays have affected thousands of passengers traveling through Madhya Pradesh, causing inconvenience and forcing many to wait at railway stations for extended periods.
The combination of severe cold and dense fog has created hazardous travel conditions across multiple routes. Railway authorities are monitoring the situation closely as weather conditions are expected to worsen over the coming days.
This winter season has broken multiple temperature records across the state. November 2024 became the coldest November in 84 years. December followed by shattering a 25-year-old record for low temperatures. Weather officials predict January will continue this pattern of extreme cold conditions.
The prolonged cold spell has created unprecedented challenges for residents across Madhya Pradesh. The meteorological department expects the current winter season to rank among the coldest in recorded history.
Jet Stream, Western Disturbance Drive Cold Wave
The jet stream has played a crucial role in dropping temperatures across Madhya Pradesh. This strong wind current flows at a height of approximately 12.6 kilometers above ground level. On Thursday, the jet stream reached speeds of 222 kilometers per hour. At its peak during this winter season, the jet stream has recorded speeds of 285 kilometers per hour in the northern part of the country.
The Western Disturbance, a seasonal weather system affecting North India, has contributed to the severe cold conditions. Snowfall in Himalayan states combined with this system has sent cold winds sweeping across Madhya Pradesh. Cold air from northern plains mixes with icy winds from snow-covered mountain regions, creating exceptionally low temperatures across the state.
Weather experts explain that December and January typically bring the most severe winter conditions to Madhya Pradesh. Cold winds move more frequently from North India into the state during these two months. Historical data from the past decade confirms this consistent pattern.
Morning fog continues to reduce visibility in northern districts, while cold wave conditions persist throughout the day and night. The meteorological department expects the cold spell to intensify over the next 72 hours.
Residents across Madhya Pradesh are preparing for the predicted worsening of winter conditions. The combination of dense fog, cold waves, and dropping temperatures has created challenging living conditions. The state remains on high alert as January 3 approaches.
Temperature and Weather Forecast
| City | Temperature (°C) | Weather Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Pachmarhi | 5.4 | Severe cold, cold wave expected |
| Kalyanpur | 6.4 | Severe cold, cold wave expected |
| Shivpuri | Below 10 | Cold wave conditions |
| Khajuraho | Below 10 | Dense fog, cold wave |
| Amarkantak | Below 10 | Severe cold conditions |
| Rajgarh | Below 10 | Fog, cold wave |
| Rewa | Below 10 | Dense fog expected Jan 3-5 |
| Indore | Below 10 | Fog, cold conditions |
| Bhopal | 10.6 | Fog, moderate cold |
| Gwalior | Below 10 | Dense fog expected Jan 3-5 |
| Datia | Below 10 | Dense fog, visibility 50m |
| Morena | Below 10 | Cloudy, dense fog expected |
| Bhind | Below 10 | Cloudy, dense fog expected |
| Satna | Below 10 | Fog, dense fog expected Jan 3-5 |
| Sidhi | Below 10 | Dense fog expected Jan 3-5 |
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