Bhubaneswar: Are we heading for a harsher winter? If the temperature recorded in Odisha in the last 24 hours is any indication, it is time to pull out the warm clothes.
The mercury fell below 20 degree Celsius at 13 places – Similiguda (19.1), Bhawanipatna (17.4), Titilagarh (17), Koraput (18), Nuapada (18), Daringbadi (13), Phulbani (16), Sonepur (17.8), Angul(19), Mahispat (19.8), Hirakud (19.5), Jharsuguda (19.6) and Keonjhar (17.4).
The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 21 degree Celcius.
November is when the cold generally begins to set in.
According to a majority of global climate models, La Nina conditions will start to develop from October and prevail till the end of the winter season over the northern hemisphere.
This ocean phenomenon arises when the sea surface temperatures along the equatorial Pacific Ocean slip below normal. It makes winters harsher over India and favours development of more cyclones that cross Indian coasts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has, however, ruled out the possibility of La Nina conditions and instead said that the prevailing ENSO neutral conditions would last for the next few seasons.
During ENSO neutral conditions, blow east to west across the surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean, trade winds bringing warm moist air and warmer surface waters towards the western Pacific and keeping the central Pacific Ocean relatively cool.
Meanwhile, IMD, in its mid-day bulletin, said that there will be no large change both in maximum and minimum temperature during the next 4-5 days in Odisha.
“There has been a significant reduction in rainfall activity and southwest monsoon has withdrawn from the entire country,” it added.
The Met office has forecast light rain at one or two places in Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Koraput, Malkangiri during the next 24 hours. Dry weather conditions will prevail thereafter, it added.
