Shift in weather? Min temp stays below 20°C for 4 days on the trot

Gurgaon: The city woke up to a hazy Monday morning as the minimum temperature dropped to 18.5 degrees Celsius, marking a significant shift in the weather. This is 0.4 degrees lower than the previous day. For the past four days, the minimum temperature consistently stayed below 20 degrees Celsius, a pattern typical for this time of the year, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Meanwhile, the maximum temperature was recorded at 33.8 degrees Celsius, which was the same as Sunday.
There is likely to be a nip in the air by next week, the weather department predicted. "Both minimum and maximum temperatures are likely to witness a drop by three to four degrees from Oct 25 and the region is likely to feel a change in weather," said an IMD official.
The IMD also issued a warning of a potentially severe winter season ahead, attributing it to the onset of La Nina. Under normal conditions, trade winds blow westward along the equator, moving warm water from South America towards Asia, allowing cooler, deeper ocean waters to rise. This helps sustain climatic equilibrium. The arrival of La Nina, however, disrupts this balance, leading to extreme weather conditions.
La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, compared to El Nino, which is associated with warmer temperatures. The phenomenon affects global weather patterns, often resulting in harsher winters in some regions and increased rainfall in others. For India, La Nina typically means a colder and wetter winter season.
This phenomenon is expected to persist throughout the winter months, with its impact being felt most strongly in Dec and Jan, an IMD official said. This could result in a long winter, with temperatures below normal for an extended period.
The official also advised farmers to be mindful of the potential impact of the climate on their crops. Cold weather can adversely affect certain crops, particularly those sensitive to frost. Farmers should use frost protection covers or adjust their planting schedules according to the forecast to avoid losses, he said.