Cold day-like conditions in MP, mercury dips across state:Rain to lash Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur, temperatures to fall

Cold wave–like conditions returned to Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, with large parts of the State recording low daytime temperatures and remaining under dense cloud cover. In several cities, maximum temperatures failed to cross 22°C, creating cold day–like conditions. At least 15 cities, including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain and Guna, experienced an unusually cold day. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that similar conditions are likely to persist on Monday. Winter rainfall is also forecast across the State on January 27 and 28, with Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur among the districts expected to receive rain. Western Disturbance alters weather pattern According to the IMD, a Western Disturbance active over the Himalayan region, along with an associated trough and cyclonic circulation, has significantly altered the weather pattern over central India. Its impact was evident across Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, as cloud cover thickened, cold winds intensified and fog developed in several districts. On Monday, fog continued to affect parts of the State, while chilly northerly winds further enhanced the cold conditions. Day temperatures remain subdued Several cities recorded markedly low maximum temperatures on Sunday. Guna was the coldest during the day, with the mercury settling at 19.1°C. Naugaon recorded 20°C, Datia 20.1°C, Sheopur 20.6°C, Tikamgarh 20.7°C, Ratlam and Shivpuri 21°C, Khajuraho 21.2°C, Dhar 21.4°C, Rewa 21.6°C and Damoh 21.8°C. Among the five major cities, Bhopal recorded a maximum temperature of 21°C, Indore 21.8°C, Gwalior 22.3°C, Ujjain 22.5°C and Jabalpur 23.5°C. Fog was reported from Narmadapuram, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, Sidhi, Raisen, Ujjain, Damoh, Satna, Umaria, Rajgarh, Gwalior, Guna, Chhindwara, Khajuraho, Mandla, Naugaon, Sagar and Malajkhand. Night temperatures dip sharply Minimum temperatures also fell significantly during Saturday night. Rajgarh recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the State at 6.5°C. Datia reported 7.4°C, Guna 7.7°C, Pachmarhi and Sheopur 8.4°C, Naugaon 9°C, and Ratlam and Rewa 9.8°C. Among major cities, Gwalior remained the coldest at night, with the minimum temperature dropping to 8.4°C. Bhopal recorded 11.9°C, Indore 13.2°C, Ujjain 11.5°C and Jabalpur 15°C. Rain likely in several districts The IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall in many districts over the next two days. January 27:
Bhopal, Ujjain, Gwalior, Sheopur, Morena, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Guna, Ashoknagar, Shivpuri, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Shajapur, Agar-Malwa, Neemuch, Mandsaur and Ratlam. January 28:
Jabalpur, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi, Singrauli, Maihar, Shahdol, Umaria, Katni, Damoh, Sagar, Narsinghpur, Vidisha and Raisen. January: the coldest month The IMD said December and January are the coldest months of the year, comparable to July and August during the monsoon season. During this period, cold northerly winds frequently sweep across Madhya Pradesh, causing a sharp fall in both day and night temperatures. Data from the past decade indicate that January also sees winter rainfall due to active Western Disturbances. Cloudy skies and light rain have already been reported in several parts of the State this month, particularly during the last week.