Lucknow, February 2:
The weather across Uttar Pradesh has taken a sudden turn, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing alerts for rainfall, hailstorms, lightning, and dense fog in several districts of the state. The spell of unsettled weather is expected to continue till February 4, after which a change in conditions is likely.
On Monday morning, light to moderate fog was reported in Lucknow and nearby areas. Continuous snowfall in the Himalayan region has led to a noticeable drop in temperatures across the state, further intensified by dry north-westerly winds, making the cold more biting. Meteorologists have indicated that temperatures may fall further in the coming days.
Rain Expected in Lucknow
In the state capital, Lucknow, light drizzle or rainfall is likely during the evening or night hours. According to weather experts, the day may witness partly cloudy skies, followed by scattered rain in some localities.
Interestingly, despite the changing weather pattern, February began on a relatively warm note. On Sunday, Lucknow recorded a maximum temperature of 24.1°C, the highest in the state. While the morning hours saw light fog, bright sunshine later in the day led to a rise in temperatures.
Western Disturbances Trigger Rainfall
Senior scientist Atul Kumar Singh from the Lucknow Meteorological Centre said that rainfall in western Uttar Pradesh has been triggered by an active western disturbance in the mid-troposphere over northern Pakistan. By Monday morning, rainfall is likely to extend to central and adjoining eastern parts of the state.
He added that two more western disturbances are expected to affect the region, increasing the likelihood of rain across Uttar Pradesh until February 4.
Temperature Trends Ahead
Over the next 48 hours, minimum temperatures may rise by 3 to 6 degrees Celsius across many parts of the state. However, once the rain spell subsides after February 4, temperatures are expected to dip again slightly.
February Likely to Be Warmer Than Usual
Climatologists have also pointed to the weakening La Niña conditions over the Pacific Ocean, which are expected to shift towards neutral conditions during February–March–April. As a result, night temperatures in February may remain slightly above normal, reducing the number of cold wave days by 1 to 3 days compared to average levels. Rainfall during the month is also expected to be below normal.