Winter Delayed in North India 2024? Everything You Need to Know as India Records Its Warmest October in 123 Years.
India just had its warmest October in over 120 years, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting a similarly warm November. Typical winter cooling has yet to set in, as temperatures remain above average nationwide. This unusual warmth is due to the absence of cooling western disturbances and the influence of warm easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal, leading to an exceptionally warm October.
IMD Forecasts Warm November and Increased Rainfall
IMD officials also predict a warmer-than-usual November, along with a wetter month across many regions. They expect “heavy to very heavy rainfall” in certain areas, creating an unusual weather pattern for this time of year. The absence of typical seasonal cooling keeps temperatures high nationwide, with November showing few signs of a shift toward cooler winter weather.
Unusually High Minimum Temperatures in October
The higher minimum temperatures in October resulted from four low-pressure systems and a scarcity of western disturbances. These weather patterns usually help regulate temperatures by bringing cooler air, but their absence has allowed for unusually high minimums. This unusual warmth will likely impact November as well, delaying the arrival of typical winter temperatures.
Record-Breaking October Temperatures
In October, the average temperature for India reached 26.92°C, the highest on record since 1901 and well above the typical norm of 25.69°C. The national minimum temperature also saw an increase, rising from an average of 20.01°C to 21.85°C. Without the usual cooling western disturbances, this October’s temperatures reached unprecedented levels.
Factors Behind October’s Exceptional Warmth
The absence of western disturbances and the arrival of easterly winds from active low-pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal serve as primary causes of October’s unusual warmth. These combined factors prevented the typical seasonal dip in temperatures, leading to record-breaking warmth in October that will likely influence November’s weather as well.
