Madhya Pradesh is reeling under an unusual cold spell. The temperature in several cities has dipped below that of many hill stations in the north. Bhopal recorded 8.8°C between the night of November 9 and 10, the same as Shimla. Indore was even colder at 7.9°C, lower than Mussoorie’s 8.6°C and Dehradun’s 11.7°C.
According to the Meteorological Department, a western disturbance over the northern region is pulling cold winds into the state. “Northern winds are coming to Madhya Pradesh, increasing the effect of cold,” said meteorologist Arun Sharma.
Fourteen districts, including Bhopal and Indore, are on alert. A severe cold wave is expected over the next two days.
Current Temperatures Across Major Cities
| City | Temperature (°C) | Weather Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 8.8 | Cold wave, clear sky |
| Indore | 7.9 | Severe cold wave, dry air |
| Gwalior | 10.5 | Cold and dry |
| Jabalpur | 10.2 | Chilly with mild wind |
| Ujjain | 11.0 | Cold with morning fog |
| Rajgarh | 7.6 | Severe cold wave |
| Shahdol | 7.2 | Coldest in MP |
| Narmadapuram | 13.2 | Mild cold, clear sky |
The cold wave has spread across both western and eastern Madhya Pradesh. On Sunday and Monday nights, mercury dropped below 10°C in 11 cities. Kalyanpur in Shahdol was the coldest at 7.2°C.
Record-Breaking Chill
Weather expert P.K. Shah said this year’s cold has arrived earlier than usual. “The western disturbance in the Himalayan region became active a week earlier. If this continues, the severe cold may last 80 to 85 days instead of 75,” Shah noted.
The chill has broken several records. In Bhopal, the temperature fell to its lowest level in November since 2015. Indore saw its coldest November night in 25 years, touching 7°C. The all-time record remains 5.6°C, recorded in 1938.
Even during the day, the cold is noticeable. Maximum temperatures in most cities stayed below 28°C. The Meteorological Department expects a further dip as the week progresses.
Citywise 10-Day Forecast: Bhopal
| Date | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov | 9 | Clear sky, cold wind |
| 12 Nov | 8 | Cold morning, dry day |
| 13 Nov | 8 | Cold wave likely |
| 14 Nov | 7 | Severe cold, dry air |
| 15 Nov | 7 | Chilly night |
| 16 Nov | 6 | Coldest expected |
| 17 Nov | 6 | Clear, dry weather |
| 18 Nov | 7 | Slight rise in temperature |
| 19 Nov | 8 | Mild morning fog |
| 20 Nov | 8 | Cold but clear |
Citywise 10-Day Forecast: Indore
| Date | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov | 8 | Clear and cold |
| 12 Nov | 7 | Cold wave continues |
| 13 Nov | 7 | Windy, dry weather |
| 14 Nov | 6 | Severe cold |
| 15 Nov | 6 | Foggy morning |
| 16 Nov | 5 | Record low expected |
| 17 Nov | 5 | Dry, cold air |
| 18 Nov | 6 | Gradual rise |
| 19 Nov | 7 | Mild chill |
| 20 Nov | 8 | Clear sky |
Citywise 10-Day Forecast: Gwalior
| Date | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov | 10 | Cold, dry air |
| 12 Nov | 9 | Chilly morning |
| 13 Nov | 9 | Cold wave effect |
| 14 Nov | 8 | Drop in temperature |
| 15 Nov | 8 | Dry, breezy weather |
| 16 Nov | 7 | Coldest day expected |
| 17 Nov | 7 | Clear and cold |
| 18 Nov | 8 | Mild chill |
| 19 Nov | 9 | Slightly warmer |
| 20 Nov | 9 | Steady cold |
Citywise 10-Day Forecast: Jabalpur
| Date | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov | 10 | Cold and windy |
| 12 Nov | 9 | Fog in morning |
| 13 Nov | 9 | Cold wave likely |
| 14 Nov | 8 | Severe cold |
| 15 Nov | 8 | Dry, clear sky |
| 16 Nov | 7 | Coldest day expected |
| 17 Nov | 7 | Dry air continues |
| 18 Nov | 8 | Slight rise |
| 19 Nov | 9 | Mild chill |
| 20 Nov | 9 | Cold but stable |
The cold is spreading fast. Umaria, Betul, and Rewa have also reported sharp drops. Umaria recorded 8.5°C, while Betul stood at 9°C. In Malajkhand and Rewa, the temperature hovered around 9.1°C.
Mandla saw 10.1°C, while Guna, Shivpuri, Damoh, and Satna were around 11°C. Ratlam was slightly warmer at 12°C. Pachmarhi, at 14.2°C, remained the warmest among the listed locations.
Air Quality and Cold Link
The chill has also affected the state’s air quality. The Pollution Control Board recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 119 in Ratlam, the best in the state. Gwalior’s air, on the other hand, worsened, with an AQI of 198.
Other major cities fared moderately, Indore recorded 156, Bhopal 159, and Jabalpur 169.
Changing Weather Patterns
Data from the Meteorological Department shows the temperature in many districts is 3°C to 7°C below normal. The lowest minimum was in Shahdol at 7.2°C, while the highest daytime temperature was 30.9°C in Narmadapuram.
Shah said, “The snowfall in the Himalayas is directly influencing Madhya Pradesh. The early onset of cold this year indicates a long winter ahead.”
The trend of early and intense cold in November has continued for the last decade. The month of October also saw a sharp drop, with Bhopal’s daytime temperature hitting 24°C on October 30, the lowest in 25 years.
With the current pattern of western winds and declining temperatures, the state is expected to remain under cold wave conditions for at least another week
Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.
Keep Reading
Elephants Are Back in MP After a Century, But Can They Stay?
Solar Energy – A Paradigm Shift in Wildlife Conservation
Stay connected with Ground Report for underreported environmental stories.
