December kicks in with chilly mornings, IMD predicts above-normal cold waves ahead
PTC News Desk: Cold wave conditions in December are expected to be higher than usual in parts of northwest, central, and northeast India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday. The IMD predicts four to five extra cold wave days this season in states such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and some regions of Maharashtra. Normally, these states record about four to six cold wave days between December and February.
A cold wave is announced when temperatures drop to 10°C or below in the plains, or 0°C and below in hilly areas. It is also considered a cold wave when temperatures fall 4.5°C to 6.4°C below normal.
For the winter period from December 2025 to February 2026, minimum temperatures are likely to be normal or below normal across most areas of central India and nearby parts of peninsular and northwest India. Other regions may see warmer-than-usual minimum temperatures.
Daytime temperatures are also expected to be normal to lower than usual in many parts of the country. However, regions in northwest and northeast India and along the Himalayan foothills may record higher daytime temperatures.
The season’s first spell of cold to severe cold wave conditions arrived early this year—from November 8 to 18 across isolated parts of west, central and east India, including northeast Rajasthan, south Haryana, north Madhya Pradesh, south Uttar Pradesh and north Chhattisgarh, and from November 15 to 20 in north interior Maharashtra.
Another cold wave is likely in parts of northwest and central India between December 3 and 5, according to IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
He also said that weak La Niña conditions are expected to continue through December to February. La Niña usually brings colder winters across parts of the northern hemisphere, including India, the US and Central Asia.
- PTC NEWS
