Why Mornings Are Getting Colder: Understanding the Impact of the Western Disturbance

Introduction

The early morning chill in the air is becoming more pronounced by the day. If you’re an early riser, you’ve likely felt the need to bundle up as the sun’s warmth seems to be dwindling. Across most of Northern India, people are gradually transitioning to warmer clothing. The effects of the recent rain spell that occurred about three days ago are making their presence felt in the weather. Daytime temperatures have dropped to a comfortable 35-36 degrees Celsius, providing respite from the scorching heat. After a 13-degree drop in temperature, it’s time to prepare for the chilly days ahead. The question now is whether the same weather that demanded fans and air conditioning in the nights until October 15 is now advising us to shut both these devices off.

The Connection with Western Disturbance

To comprehend the reasons behind this sudden change, we need to understand what a Western Disturbance is. To do this, we need to go thousands of kilometers away from India, deep into the Indian Ocean. Typically, over the Indian Ocean, there is evaporation, and warm air rises. When this warm, moist air reaches close to the Himalayas, it cools, leading to condensation and eventually rainfall in the northwestern regions of India. So, what’s the connection between this and the drop in temperature?

The answer lies in the month of October. As October approaches its final phase, temperatures generally start to decline, and the rain is responsible for this. As the month progresses towards its end, temperatures decrease further, and the chill of winter starts to set in.

The Current Weather Trends

At Safdarjung, the minimum temperature was recorded at 16.4 degrees Celsius, a direct 3-degree drop from the previous days. Moreover, the minimum temperature is a striking 5 degrees Celsius below average. Before this, the temperature had dropped below 20 degrees Celsius in the first week of October. On October 3, the minimum temperature was 18.3 degrees Celsius, which was almost 4 degrees Celsius below average. Such a significant drop in mercury levels is quite common during the days following the return of the monsoon. Over the next few days, you can expect to see more fluctuations in temperature.

By October 20, night-time temperatures will continue to see fluctuations. Usually, a significant drop in temperature is observed during the last week of October. The typical average temperature range in the early days of October, which hovers around 22-23 degrees Celsius, gradually falls to 16-17 degrees Celsius towards the end. This change in weather is not unique to Delhi but extends to the entire NCR region, including Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad.

The transition to cooler weather is a natural part of the yearly weather cycle. As the seasons change, it’s time to dust off those sweaters and jackets and prepare for the colder days ahead.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the sudden drop in morning temperatures is not unexpected. As we enter the latter part of October, the Western Disturbance and the onset of the winter season are responsible for the chill in the air. This is a part of the annual weather cycle, and soon we’ll be experiencing even cooler temperatures as winter sets in.