2-day cold wave alert in Madhya Pradesh:Mercury slips under 10°C in 25 cities; jet stream winds intensify the chill

Madhya Pradesh is set to face an intense cold wave on Wednesday and Thursday. Many districts, including Bhopal, Indore, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Shajapur, and Sehore, will see a sharp temperature drop due to icy winds, early snowfall in the Himalayas, a strong jet stream, and active Western Disturbances. Weather experts say this could be one of the coldest December periods in recent years. 2-day cold wave alert The Meteorological Department has issued a cold wave alert for the next two days. Conditions will be severe in Bhopal, Indore, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Shajapur, and Sehore. On Tuesday night, Bhopal recorded 7.2°C. Kalyanpur in Shahdol was the coldest in the state, at 4.7°C.In 25 cities, including Indore, temperatures stayed below 10°C. A strong jet stream, blowing at about 12 km above the ground at a speed of 222 km per hour, is currently active over northern India and increasing the chill in Madhya Pradesh. This powerful upper-air wind, when combined with icy winds from the mountains and active Western Disturbances, sharply intensifies the cold across the region. Sharp drop in night temperatures Cold winds caused a major drop in night temperatures on Monday–Tuesday. In Raisen, dew drops froze on crops. Pachmarhi touched 5°C, and steam was seen rising from lake water. City temperatures on Tuesday morning Minimum temperatures in other cities Why the weather has turned harsher Heavy snowfall in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan has cooled the northern plains. Cold winds from these regions are blowing into Madhya Pradesh. This has lowered temperatures across the state, including Bhopal. Expected weather in December Strong Western Disturbances are likely in December. Northerly winds will continue to lower day and night temperatures. This pattern is expected to persist throughout the month. Districts likely to face the most severe cold Cold wave likely for 20–22 days Experts say cold wave conditions may continue for up to 20–22 days in January. Cold winds will dominate many cities. La Niña strengthened the cold La Niña, which cools the Pacific Ocean, is active this year. Cooler ocean temperatures push colder air towards Asia and India. This has increased the chill in Central India since November. Early snowfall increased shivering Snowfall in the Himalayas began earlier than usual. This early snowfall increased the cold in Central India by 20% to 30%. Cold winds penetrated deeper Cold winds affected not just the surface. They penetrated 20% to 25% deeper into weather zones like Gwalior–Chambal, Bhopal–Vidisha, Ratlam–Mandsaur, and Sagar–Damoh. Western disturbances remain active Active Western Disturbances bring winter rain. This rain drops temperatures by 4°C to 6°C. Bhopal, Ujjain, Mandsaur, and Ratlam may see sharper cold after rainfall. Indore–Dewas, Bhopal–Sehore, and Gwalior–Morena may also witness ‘cold day’ conditions as daytime temperatures fall.