MP shivers as cold winds sweep state:Ujjain division coldest, Mandsaur records 2.9 degrees; Dense fog in northern parts

Madhya Pradesh is experiencing a sharp drop in temperatures as snowfall in the hilly areas intensifies the winter chill. Cold wave conditions are affecting five districts, including Bhopal and Indore, while northern parts of the state remain shrouded in dense fog. In Mandsaur, the mercury has plummeted to 2.9 degrees Celsius, marking it the coldest city in the state. Across 30 cities, night temperatures stayed below 10 degrees, and the cold spell continues today. Cold wave alert issued for five districts The Meteorological Department on Sunday issued a cold wave alert for Bhopal, Indore, Shajapur, Sehore, and Rajgarh. Daytime temperatures in these districts are expected to remain below 25 degrees Celsius, making the day feel chilly for residents. Authorities have advised people to wear warm clothes before stepping out for daily activities such as shopping or commuting. Malwa emerges as the coldest region The Malwa and Nimar regions are bearing the brunt of the winter. Fifteen districts across the Indore and Ujjain divisions are experiencing severe cold. Among these, Mandsaur remains the coldest with the mercury touching 2.9 degrees. Shajapur follows closely at 3.1 degrees. In the state’s major cities, temperatures were recorded as follows: Bhopal 4.6°C, Indore 6.2°C, Gwalior 6.7°C, Ujjain 7.3°C, and Jabalpur 7.4°C. These low temperatures, combined with cold winds, are making daily life uncomfortable for residents. Dense fog delays trains across northern districts On Saturday, dense fog enveloped northern districts including Gwalior, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Maihar, Umaria, Shahdol, and Anuppur. Other cities also reported reduced visibility. This fog caused delays for trains arriving from Delhi to Bhopal, Indore, and Ujjain. Cold winds have further intensified the chill in Bhopal, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Sehore, Mandsaur, Indore, Seoni, Shahdol, and Anuppur. According to the Meteorological Department, night temperatures on Friday-Saturday were extremely low, with Kalyanpur in Shahdol at 3.2°C, Rajgarh 3.8°C, Nowgong 4.6°C, Umaria 4.7°C, Pachmarhi 4.8°C, Khajuraho 5°C, Malajkhand 5.6°C, and Rewa 5.8°C. Meanwhile, in about 30 cities including Raisen, Shivpuri, Damoh, Mandla, Datia, Satna, Guna, Sheopur, Dhar, and Ratlam, the mercury stayed below 10°C. The dense fog in over 16 districts disrupted train services. Western disturbance may intensify cold The Meteorological Department has warned that a Western Disturbance may affect the Western Himalayan region on December 30, with its effects reaching Madhya Pradesh. Cold winds accompanying this system are likely to intensify the existing chill. Jet stream is active at high speeds Adding to the cold is an active jet stream in the northern plains. On Saturday, winds blew at a speed of 222 km/h at an altitude of 12.6 km from the ground, with similar speeds expected on Sunday. Weather experts say this fast-moving jet stream is a major reason for the extreme cold. The jet stream, blowing at high altitudes, combines with icy winds from the mountains, amplifying the cold in the plains. The presence of the Western Disturbance further strengthens this effect, making temperatures drop sharply during both day and night. Record-breaking cold this winter This winter has already broken records. November saw Bhopal experience a cold wave for 15 consecutive days—the longest since 1931. On November 17, the mercury dropped to 5.2°C, breaking previous lows from 1941. In Indore, the mercury fell to 6.4°C, marking the coldest night in 25 years. December is now seeing similar record-breaking lows, with temperatures in Bhopal dipping below 5°C. December-January, Peak winter months The Meteorological Department notes that just as July and August are crucial for monsoon rainfall, December and January are significant for cold weather. During these months, cold winds from North India frequently sweep across the state, causing daytime and nighttime temperatures to drop considerably. Data from the past decade confirms this trend, with Western Disturbances occasionally bringing winter rain (Mawatha), which further intensifies daytime cold. Impact across districts All districts of the Gwalior, Chambal, and Ujjain divisions are witnessing severe cold. Dense fog is prevalent, especially in Sagar and Rewa divisions. In the Bhopal division, Sehore, Raisen, Rajgarh, and Vidisha are experiencing extreme chill, with Rajgarh dropping to 4°C. Sagar division districts like Niwar, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Panna, along with Rewa division districts Mauganj, Sidhi, and Singrauli, are also affected. Mandla and Dindori in Jabalpur division, as well as Indore, Dhar, and Jhabua in Indore division, report severe cold. Major cities see record lows Bhopal has historically recorded cold and occasional rain in December, with the lowest temperature reaching 3.1°C on December 11, 1966. Indore sees nighttime temperatures between 5°C and 8°C, with December daytime temperatures usually between 28°C and 31°C. Gwalior experiences warm days but cold nights, with dense fog adding to discomfort. Jabalpur continues to face severe cold without rainfall, and Ujjain sees daytime averages of 28.2°C and nights around 9.4°C, with no rain reported this December despite rainfall in previous years. Conclusion With the combination of Western Disturbances, icy winds from the mountains, and an active jet stream, Madhya Pradesh is experiencing one of the coldest winters in recent memory. Residents are advised to remain cautious, dress warmly, and stay updated on weather advisories as the cold wave persists across the state.