Bhopal recorded its coldest November night in eight decades. The minimum touched 5.2 degrees Celsius on November 16. The drop came after the first half of the month passed with steady winds from the northwest.
Rajgarh reached 5 degrees Celsius, the lowest in the state. Plains across the region faced similar drops. Nights between Sunday and Monday were tough in Bhopal, Indore, Sehore, Shajapur, and Rajgarh.
Other districts also faced a cold wave. These included Jabalpur, Rewa, Chhatarpur, Betul, Barwani, Khandwa, Dhar, and Shahdol. Maximum temperatures in the Indore, Ujjain, Chambal, and Gwalior divisions fell by 3 to 4 degrees. Minimum temperatures in the Bhopal, Indore, and Ujjain divisions fell by 5.5 to 8.5 degrees.
Meteorologist Divya Surendran said northwesterly winds are pushing cold air into the state. A low-pressure area around the Bay of Bengal and Sri Lanka is active. Another system may form around November 22.
Cold Wave Alert Across Districts
The Meteorological Department issued severe cold wave alerts in Indore, Bhopal, and Rajgarh. A cold wave alert is also active in Shajapur, Dewas, Sehore, Dhar, Barwani, Khargone, Khandwa, Harda, Betul, Shivpuri, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Maihar, Katni, Umaria, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Damoh, Sagar, Vidisha, and Raisen.
Maximum temperatures stayed close to the high twenties. Narmadapuram recorded 28.8°C, the state’s highest for the day. Minimum temperatures showed a sharp tumbling trend.
Schools across Madhya Pradesh are changing timings due to the cold. Bhopal’s education department told schools not to hold classes for nursery to eighth before 8:30 am.
Indore reached 7.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday night. The collector shifted the start time to 9 am from November 18. Sagar ordered similar changes. Shahdol set 9 am as the new start time for all schools. Khandwa moved its start time to 8.30 am.
Bhopal saw its coldest November night ever recorded. The previous mark was 6.1 degrees on November 30, 1941. Indore felt its coldest night in 25 years. Rajgarh marked a record low of 5 degrees. Gwalior recorded 9.8 degrees, Ujjain 9.6, and Jabalpur 9.3.
Many districts have not changed timing despite alerts. Parents say early morning school hours are affecting children’s health. Bhopal’s administration said it will review timing with the education department.
Indore officials said there is no cold day situation yet. Ujjain’s education department has not made changes either.
Gwalior shifted classes to after 8 am from November 1. Chhindwara set 8.30 am as the earliest start. Dewas and Jhabua also revised timings.
City Temperatures and Forecast
| City | Temperature (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 5.2 | Clear, cold nights |
| Indore | 7.2 | Dry, cold breeze |
| Rajgarh | 5 | Sharp drop at night |
| Gwalior | 9.8 | Mild daytime sun |
| Jabalpur | 9.3 | Cool and dry |
Parents report children face cold conditions while travelling early for school. One parent in Indore said children reached school in around 6 °C. The district education officer has been asked to review further changes.
Forecast Tables
Bhopal
| Date | High °C | Low °C | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/18 | 25 | 9 | Sunny |
| 11/19 | 26 | 10 | Sunny |
| 11/20 | 27 | 12 | Sunny |
| 11/21 | 27 | 13 | Partly cloudy |
| 11/22 | 26 | 14 | Partly cloudy |
| 11/23 | 25 | 14 | Mostly sunny |
| 11/24 | 27 | 14 | Partly cloudy |
| 11/25 | 26 | 14 | Partly cloudy |
| 11/26 | 26 | 13 | Partly cloudy |
| 11/27 | 25 | 13 | Mostly clear |
Indore (forecast approximate – based on regional pattern)
| Date | High °C | Low °C | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/18 | 26.1 | ~11 | Clear skies |
| 11/19 | ~26.5 | ~12 | Clear skies |
| 11/20 | ~27.0 | ~13 | Hazy sun |
| 11/21 | ~27.5 | ~12 | Hazy sun |
| 11/22 | ~28.0 | ~11 | Clear skies |
| 11/23 | ~27.0 | ~13 | Hazy sun |
| 11/24 | ~27.0 | ~10 | Clear skies |
| 11/25 | ~27.0 | ~9 | Clear skies |
| 11/26 | ~27.0 | ~9 | Clear skies |
| 11/27 | ~27.0 | ~9 | Partly cloudy |
Gwalior
| Date | High °C | Low °C | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/18 | 26 | 11 | Plenty of sunshine |
| 11/19 | 26 | 12 | Clear |
| 11/20 | 27 | 12 | Hazy sunshine |
| 11/21 | 27 | 12 | Hazy sunshine |
| 11/22 | 28 | 11 | Plenty of sunshine |
| 11/23 | 27 | 13 | Hazy sun |
| 11/24 | 27 | 10 | Hazy sun |
| 11/25 | 27 | 9 | Plenty of sunshine |
| 11/26 | 27 | 9 | Plenty of sunshine |
| 11/27 | 27 | 9 | Sun and high clouds |
Jabalpur
| Date | High °C | Low °C | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/18 | 27 | 10 | Mostly sunny |
| 11/19 | 27 | 11 | Mostly sunny |
| 11/20 | 27 | 12 | Mostly sunny |
| 11/21 | 27 | 12 | Mostly sunny |
| 11/22 | 27 | 13 | Sunny |
| 11/23 | 27 | 13 | Sunny |
| 11/24 | 27 | 13 | Sunny |
| 11/25 | 27 | 13 | Sunny |
| 11/26 | 27 | 13 | Sunny |
| 11/27 | 23 | 12 | Slight dip |
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