This winter could be warmer than usual, says IMD

and peninsular India will also be marked by higher temperatures.

“Minimum temperatures over most parts of central and peninsular India are likely to be warmer than normal by ≥ 1 degree C. The season averaged mean temperatures are likely to be warmer than normal by 0.5 degree C over most subdivisions of the peninsular India and some subdivisions of east and central India,” according to the Seasonal Temperature Outlook for December 2019 to February 2020.

The above-normal temperatures are linked to moisture and clouding while global warming was also a factor, the meteorologists said. Moisture incursion refers to winds from Bay of Bengal or Arabian Sea that bring in moist and warm air. The associated clouds absorbs thermal radiation on the earth’s surface and then reflects it back down, creating what is known as a cloud blanket effect, the scientists explained.

IMD, which uses the Monsoon Mission Coupled Forecasting System (MMCFS) model for its seasonal forecasts, said there is relatively “high probability” for above normal minimum temperatures in the “core cold wave

NEW DELHI: The air quality index in the national capital fell to 84 on Friday, settling in the ‘satisfactory’ category for the first time in two months as strong winds swept the region. According to scientists, pollution is likely to remain at similar levels during the weekend, when the temperature is likely to also remain low during evenings.