Unseasonal Chill Grips Northern India

Daytime temperatures plummeted sharply across large swathes of northern India on Thursday, with the national capital registering its coldest October day in four years. The abrupt weather shift comes in the wake of the weakening cyclonic storm 'Arnab', which transformed into a deep depression after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast earlier in the week.

Delhi's base weather station at Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 25.4 degrees Celsius—a notable 5.6 degrees below the seasonal normal. Dark, overcast skies lingered over the city throughout the day, accompanied by trace rainfall. Meteorological officials noted this was the lowest daytime maximum for October since October 8, 2022, when the mercury dipped to 23.4 degrees Celsius.

Severe Weather Alerts Issued Across Multiple States

In response to the intensifying weather systems, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued 'red' and 'orange' alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across the Delhi-NCR region, Uttar Pradesh, and neighboring northern states.

The widespread atmospheric disturbance is the cumulative result of the remnants of Cyclone Arnab—which weakened into a depression over south Chhattisgarh and adjoining Odisha—interacting with incoming moisture and an induced circulation linked to a fresh western disturbance.

Drastic Temperature Drops in Haryana and Punjab

Neighboring states experienced even steeper temperature anomalies. In Haryana, Karnal recorded a maximum temperature of just 20.6 degrees Celsius, plunging nine degrees below the seasonal average. Ambala registered 23.8 degrees Celsius, six degrees below normal, while Rohtak, Narnaul, and Bhiwani witnessed significant drops up to six degrees below typical late-October values.

In Punjab, Patiala recorded a daytime high of 27.4 degrees Celsius. Other districts, including Ludhiana, Amritsar, Pathankot, Bathinda, and Faridkot, reported maximum temperatures ranging between 29 and 34.9 degrees Celsius.

Forecast and Advisory for Uttar Pradesh and Himalayan Region

The Met Office in Lucknow has warned of a steep 5 to 8-degree Celsius drop in maximum temperatures across Uttar Pradesh. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected in districts such as Lucknow, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur, and Amethi, with isolated hailstorms possible in parts of western Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh experienced light rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in districts like Shimla, Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur. High-altitude tribal regions felt the bite of early winter, with Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti recording a sub-zero low of minus 1.2 degrees Celsius.

Authorities have advised commuters and farmers to remain vigilant as the active weather spell continues to impact agricultural harvesting and daily transit across the northern plains.