Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 21°C on Sunday, marking its second-lowest September reading in 25 years and the lowest since 2001.
The unusually cool night, following days of widespread rainfall and cloudy skies, has left residents wondering whether winter is arriving early this year.
With air conditioners switched off, fans running slower and temperatures dipping across parts of north India, the question is whether the sudden change signals an early winter or is simply a temporary break from the heat.
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Could the developing El Nino have anything to do with it?
The recent dip in temperatures has little to do with El Nino or an early onset of winter. Instead, it is the result of an unusually persistent weather system that brought widespread rainfall across India.
WHY DID TEMPERATURES SUDDENLY DROP?
The recent spell of widespread rainfall was triggered by a long-lasting deep depression that moved inland from the Bay of Bengal, bringing sustained rain across large parts of the country.
“The deep depression from the Bay of Bengal was a very long-lasting system and received considerable support because this is the time when the monsoon begins its withdrawal,” Devendra Tripathi, founder of Mausam Tak told IndiaToday.in.
As the monsoon retreats, westerly winds strengthen across the Himalayan region and the northern plains. These winds influence the atmosphere from the surface to different altitudes, helping weather systems sustain their activity.
The depression triggered widespread rainfall from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and parts of northeast India. Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan were also affected.
Persistent cloud cover, abundant atmospheric moisture and continuous rainfall reduced daytime heating, while the prolonged spell of unsettled weather contributed to the unusually cool conditions.
However, Devendra said that this was an after-effect of an active weather system, not a seasonal transition.
WILL TEMPERATURES RISE AGAIN?
With the system weakening, dry westerly winds are expected to gradually increase their influence over north India.
From September 30 and October 1, sunshine is likely to become more prominent across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and much of Uttar Pradesh.
As cloud cover decreases and the atmosphere becomes drier, daytime temperatures are expected to rise again, bringing back warmer conditions across the northern plains.
ANOTHER DEPRESSION APPROACHING
Meanwhile, another depression near Myanmar could move into the northeastern Bay of Bengal and travel inland over the next few days. It may intensify into a deep depression, although the expert expects it to have less impact than the previous system.
The system could bring renewed cloud cover and rainfall to eastern Uttar Pradesh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and the Northeast.
IS IT EARLY ONSET OF WINTER?
The short answer is no.
For now, the message is clear: Delhi’s unusually cool September night is not confirmation of an early winter.
The recent temperature changes are temporary and have no direct connection with El Nino.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
