This winter is likely to be warmer than normal with below-average cold wave conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted on Friday.
Releasing its outlook for December 2022-February 2023, the IMD said maximum and minimum temperatures will remain above normal over most parts of India except some regions of central and northwest India.
“The upcoming winter season as a whole is expected to witness above normal minimum and maximum temperatures due to subdued western disturbances,” said IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.
Below-normal western disturbances, which originate in the Mediterranean and bring cold winds and rainfall to northwest India, generally push the mercury downwards. Their reduced impact this winter explains the higher temperature forecast.
The IMD chief also said rainfall activity could be above normal over extreme south peninsular India and many areas of northwest and east India. Northeast India is however expected to see below-normal rains.
Last year too, the Met Department had forecast above-normal winter temperatures, which largely turned out to be true. Several parts of the country saw above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures between December 2021 and February 2022.
Private forecaster Skymet has also concurred with the predictions, stating less intense western disturbances will keep the chill at bay through the season across most regions.
