North India could see cold wave from December 11, says Skymet

North India might experience its first big cold wave of the season from Monday because of fresh spells of snow and rain in the hills, private weather forecaster Skymet said.

The forecaster said the cold wave could also lead to fog and rain in the plains, which might impact road, rail and air traffic.

“Winter’s first mega storm coming from December 11th in North India, be prepared for snow, rain and fog. Road, rail and air will be affected,” Skymet CEO Jatin Singh tweeted.

Cold weather conditions could be beneficial for the latesown wheat crop, yet to planted in some parts, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. State-run India Meteorological Department (IMD), too, said in its forecast that temperatures over North India and in other parts of the country might remain appreciably below normal during the period.

IMD in its annual winter weather prediction, released earlier this month said winter this year could be colder than last year but warmer than normal across the country. Between December 2017 and February 2018, warmer than normal maximum and minimum temperatures were likely across the country, the Met said.

The season’s average maximum temperature is likely to be warmer by one degree Celsius in Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, eastern and western Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, central Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Marathwada, west and east Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram.