Shrayan Sen
Widespread and heavy snowfall has been recorded across Kashmir as an active western disturbance continues to influence the western Himalayan region. Meteorological conditions indicate that snowfall will persist until December 22, keeping temperatures well below normal in the mountains and surrounding areas.
Snowfall to Continue Till December 22
The current western disturbance remains moderately strong, bringing repeated spells of snow over higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir. This system is also affecting parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand with rain and snow. Weather experts say that once this disturbance begins to weaken and move away after December 22, the overall weather pattern over north India will undergo a significant change.
Northerly Winds to Follow Western Disturbance
After the western disturbance clears, cold and dry northerly winds are expected to sweep across north India. These winds originate from snow-covered regions and are known to push cold air deep into the plains. As a result, temperatures are likely to fall sharply across the Indo-Gangetic plains, extending from Punjab and Haryana to eastern India.
Cold Wave Likely in Gangetic West Bengal From December 24
Gangetic West Bengal is expected to come under the grip of a cold wave from December 24 onwards. While daytime temperatures may recover slightly after the western disturbance moves away due to the return of sunshine, nighttime temperatures are forecast to dip significantly. This combination of near-normal maximum temperatures and sharply lower minimum temperatures is a classic setup for cold wave conditions.
Cold Day Conditions Already Felt Due to Upper-Level Fog
Over the past two days, Gangetic West Bengal has already experienced cold day conditions. Persistent upper-level fog has reduced solar heating, keeping maximum temperatures around 6 to 7 degrees below normal. This has resulted in a pronounced chill throughout the day, despite the absence of extremely low minimum temperatures so far.
Sunshine to Raise Day Temperatures, Nights to Turn Colder
Meteorologists point out that once skies clear after December 22, maximum temperatures are expected to rise closer to normal levels due to increased sunshine. However, clear skies at night will enhance radiational cooling, leading to a sharp drop in minimum temperatures. This contrast between day and night temperatures will intensify the cold wave effect.
Chilly Christmas Expected After Many Years
With cold northerly winds and falling night temperatures, West Bengal, including Kolkata, is likely to experience a distinctly chilly Christmas this year. Such conditions have become relatively rare in recent years, making the upcoming festive period notable for winter enthusiasts. Residents are advised to prepare for colder nights and early mornings as winter finally tightens its grip on the region.
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