Chill from the north cools west, south India

Met officials say that eastward movement of a western disturbance has led to a change in wind direction over northwest and central India leading to surprise cold conditions.

NEW DELHI: Post Holi, northwest India would have been expecting temperatures to rise. Not only was this part of the country surprised by the cool weather, several parts of west and south India including coastal regions were also stumped at the unseasonal chill. Interestingly, the north has been singularly responsible for the weather down south.

Met officials explained that the eastward movement of a western disturbance (WD) had led to a change in wind direction over northwest and central India. These cold and dry northerly winds, particularly strong this time, were also experienced over large parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and even as far as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. "This is not unheard of but is an uncommon phenomenon. In fact, this is the second time this year that a WD placed over J&K has caused cold weather over west and south India," said BP Yadav, director, IMD.

Shortly before Holi, northwest India witnessed a sharp rise in temperatures. The maximum crossed 30 degrees and the minimum was 5-7 degrees above normal. This was during the presence of WD over the western Himalayas. Met officials say that during the impact of a WD, wind direction changes to south/southeasterly. These winds are warm and moist and if the WD does not bring rain, temperatures tend to shoot up. The relief came shortly before Holi, when the WD started moving away. Its eastward movement brought another change in wind direction. Cold winds from the north started blowing over the area, bringing a sharp fall in temperatures.

Most states saw temperatures starting to fall around March 7. Cities across the country including Mumbai, Patna, Bhopal, Ahmedabad and Lucknow saw temperatures fall to 2-5 degrees below normal in the next two days.

On March 7, minimum temperatures fell by 6-7 degrees over Punjab and Haryana and 2-5 degrees over Himachal Pradesh, west UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, coastal and interior Karnataka, north Assam, Meghalaya, TN, Telengana and Chhatisgarh.

However, with another WD set to affect western Himalayas for the next three days, the mercury is expected to rise by 3-4 degrees over northwest and central India. Respite from the chill will also be experienced in most of the country.

Source: http://timesofindia.feedsportal.com/fy/8at2EuK0XJY9Z1yJ/story01.htm

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