The Cold Weather Season

The cold weather season is the season of clear skies, dry air, and falling temperatures across most of India. It is the season when the sun’s rays shift southward, and the land cools rapidly, setting the stage for a distinct set of weather features that last from mid-December through February.

The season begins in mid-December and continues until February. During this period, the sun’s apparent movement is towards the south, and the entire northern hemisphere experiences a loss of heat. This cooling is most pronounced over the northern plains, where temperatures drop steadily. The weather is dominated by high-pressure conditions over the land, which keeps the skies clear and the air dry.

The most striking feature of this season is the steady fall in temperature. The days are warm but the nights are cold, and the temperature difference between day and night is considerable. In the northern plains, the mean daily minimum temperature can drop to about 5°C, and in some places it goes even lower. The cold is most intense in the northwestern parts of the country, where frost is common and the ground can freeze overnight.

The cold weather season is also the dry season for most of India. The northeast monsoon winds, which blow from the land towards the sea, bring little or no moisture. As a result, the skies remain clear and the air is dry and crisp. This dryness, combined with the low temperatures, makes the weather pleasant during the day but chilly after sunset.

Rainfall during this season is limited and comes from two main sources. The first is the western disturbances, which are low-pressure systems that originate in the Mediterranean Sea and travel eastwards. When they reach the northwestern parts of India, they bring light rainfall and sometimes snow to the mountains. This rain is important for the winter crops, especially wheat, in the northern plains. The second source is the retreating monsoon, which brings some rain to the southeastern coast of India, particularly Tamil Nadu, as it withdraws from the peninsula.

The cold weather season is not uniform across the country. The northern plains experience the full force of winter, with cold waves sweeping in from the northwest. In contrast, the southern parts of India remain relatively warm, with temperatures rarely falling to uncomfortable levels. The peninsular region, being closer to the equator, does not experience the same degree of cold, and the winter there is mild and short. …