PUNE: Post-monsoon heat is a known phenomenon in central and southern India but this year El Nino may have triggered a further 1-2 degrees Celsius surge across these regions, which is likely to make this month one of the five hottest Octobers in records going back to 1901, experts said.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) data released on Thursday show that barring some parts of northwest India (where there has been a drop in day temperatures recently), October has so far recorded day temperatures that have been 1-2 degrees Celsius above normal. Night temperatures in the country, including northwest India, are showing similar positive anomalies from October 1-19, data showed.
Weather expert Vineet Kumar Singh, said, “Maximum temperatures across a significant portion of the country in October have been consistently higher than normal, with increases ranging from 1-2 degrees Celsius above the typical averages. Northwest India is an exception, where temperatures have remained near normal or slightly below the usual levels. Meanwhile, the minimum temperatures across most of the country have followed suit, with increase of 1-2 degrees Celsius in several areas, and a slight uptick of approximately 1 degree Celsius in others.”
On this October’s possible record-breaking figures, Singh said, “For instance, in Vidarbha, maximum temperatures have surged 2-3 degrees Celsius above average this month. This trend aligns with the global scenario where temperatures have been consistently surging above normal for the past few months. Notably, July, August, and September marked record warm conditions on a global scale. This situation is partially attributed to the influence of El Nino, a climatic phenomenon known for contributing to warmer temperatures, even in winter.”
He said that the atmospheric response to El Nino has only just begun, and the peak in atmospheric temperatures associated with El Nino is expected to manifest in the next six-eight months.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) data released on Thursday show that barring some parts of northwest India (where there has been a drop in day temperatures recently), October has so far recorded day temperatures that have been 1-2 degrees Celsius above normal. Night temperatures in the country, including northwest India, are showing similar positive anomalies from October 1-19, data showed.
Weather expert Vineet Kumar Singh, said, “Maximum temperatures across a significant portion of the country in October have been consistently higher than normal, with increases ranging from 1-2 degrees Celsius above the typical averages. Northwest India is an exception, where temperatures have remained near normal or slightly below the usual levels. Meanwhile, the minimum temperatures across most of the country have followed suit, with increase of 1-2 degrees Celsius in several areas, and a slight uptick of approximately 1 degree Celsius in others.”
On this October’s possible record-breaking figures, Singh said, “For instance, in Vidarbha, maximum temperatures have surged 2-3 degrees Celsius above average this month. This trend aligns with the global scenario where temperatures have been consistently surging above normal for the past few months. Notably, July, August, and September marked record warm conditions on a global scale. This situation is partially attributed to the influence of El Nino, a climatic phenomenon known for contributing to warmer temperatures, even in winter.”
He said that the atmospheric response to El Nino has only just begun, and the peak in atmospheric temperatures associated with El Nino is expected to manifest in the next six-eight months.