Bengaluru: After a sizzling summer and bountiful monsoon season, the city is beginning to experience a nip in the air, signalling the arrival of winter. The minimum temperature plummeted below 20 degrees Celsius in and around Bengaluru a few days ago as the city woke up to foggy mornings. Influenced by La Nina conditions and excess rainfall during both monsoons, Bengaluru, known for its salubrious weather, is likely to experience an intense winter, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Anticipating a sharp decline in minimum temperature, IMD Bengaluru scientists indicated the city could witness as low as 12-14C during Dec-Jan months, while mercury levels may fall below 10C across the northern plains. "Karnataka saw large-to-large excess rainfall during monsoon, and Bengaluru also witnessed excess showers. This has resulted in increased accumulation of moisture at the surface level. Additionally, the systemic formation over Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea is expected to add to the prevailing cool condition over the peninsular region, resulting in a considerable drop in mercury levels," explained IMD scientist CS Patil.
As per IMD records, Bengaluru already recorded as low as 17.9-18C on Saturday and Sunday night.
"Dense, foggy conditions are becoming normal in and around Bengaluru, especially along the outskirts. When the surface air cools considerably, it cannot retain much moisture. Hence, the increased moisture is condensed into fog at the sub-troposphere level. The absence of clouds then would further intensify the effect of chill as there is nothing to trap the radiating heat from the earth's surface," Patil explained.
While the night temperature is set to drop considerably, the days will likely be hot and humid, according to meteorologists. "Unlike the night-time temperature, the daytime temperature across Bengaluru is likely to remain 28-30C, making it reasonably hot. Citizens may find it slightly difficult to adjust to this diurnal temperature variation," opined another meteorologist
City exhausts annual rain quota!
Staring at a 21% rainfall deficit until Sept, the city has managed to exceed its annual rainfall record in the past two months, and is now expected to finish 2024 with more than 25% excess rainfall, according to IMD officials.
Located at an elevation of 920 metres from sea level, Bengaluru gets about 98cm of rainfall in a calendar year. "As of Nov 11, the city had already crossed its annual normal rainfall mark by recording 104cm of rain. This could go up to 110cm by Dec, suggesting excess rainfall for Bengaluru region," said Patil. Downpour of 224.3mm, as against the normal of 144.4mm, in Oct redressed the shortage and put Bengaluru in the ‘slightly excess rainfall' category.
Pointing at synoptic features, including a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, extension of cyclonic circulation, and prevailing trough conditions, IMD officials issued a forecast of light-to-moderate widespread rain over the next three days. "Bengaluru and other areas of South Interior Karnataka are likely to witness light-to-moderate rainfall over the next three days. While the rain may not be that intense, there will be a few spells, adding to the developing nip in the air," Patil explained.