Winter is likely to be slightly warmer in many parts of northwest and most parts of northeast India, the India Meteorological Department said while releasing temperature outlook for December 2022-February 2023 period.
The majority of this zone will experience normal to above average maximum temperatures (warmer days) over the next three months, despite the isolated areas of the core cold zone in the north and northwest possibly experiencing below normal minimum temperatures (colder nights). India's peninsula is predicted to have below-average temperatures.
Asked about impact of warmer winter on rabi crops such as wheat, IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said there could be variations in the temperature on a day-to-day basis and the impact depends on the dynamic behaviour of the weather and the stages of plant life cycle.
According to the IMD, "Above normal maximum temperatures are likely over the majority of northwest India, east and northeast India, and many parts of central India" regarding daytime temperatures during the season. Over the majority of southern peninsular India and some areas of central India, normal to below normal maximum temperatures are likely. Mohapatra attributed the higher-than-normal temperature in many parts of northwest India to likely subdued western disturbance (WD) activity and the penetration of easterly winds. “There could be penetration of easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal. It will lead to an increase in the minimum temperature but will not necessarily yield rainfall,” he said.
