Winter bids adieu early as temp soars to 36 degrees in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Just a week into Feb, Telangana has already recorded maximum temperatures around 35 degree Celsius. With winter slowly bidding the state adieu for the season, Monday and Tuesday saw maximum temperatures at 35.3 and 36 degree Celsius respectively.

In fact, every district in the state has witnessed nearly 1-3 degree Celsius above the normal temperature, confirming an early summer with negligible spring season. This year, the lowest recorded temperature has been 16.4 degrees, unlike last year on this day, which saw the lowest temperature in the state 7.3 degree Celsius.

Brace for hot days

"Though winter departure from Telangana usually occurs by Feb third week, this year it has already begun. This is largely due to the impact of the El-Nino effect and the decadal increase in temperatures, especially during night hours," explained A Sravani, scientist C, India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Furthermore, she said citizens in the state can brace themselves for hot days ahead as temperatures will likely soar up to a maximum of 37 degree Celsius. "This month we are expecting a departure from normal temperatures by 1-2 degrees so the temperature may go up to 36-37 degrees celsius by Feb end," she added.

No cold wave in last 5 years

IMD data shows that for the first time in the last five years, Telangana did not have a single cold wave.

In the 2022-23 winter, for instance, the state recorded two cold wave days, wherein temperature dipped below 10 degree Celsius. However, in the 2023-24 winter, not a single day of cold wave was reported.

Usually, Telangana records one cold wave in the winters, said Sravani.

"This year the lowest temperature was observed in Adilabad, recording eight degrees. However, it is normal for the region and only recorded for a day which does not qualify as a cold wave," she added.

Mahesh Palwat, vice president of meteorology and climate change at Skymet Weather, said that one of the critical reasons for the temperature rise is due to the intense cloud cover over Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which is blocking the flow of cloud winds into Telangana.

"The state, however, can expect a slight drop in temperature for two days in the next 5-6 days after which will gradual rise," he added.