The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has recently forecasted that the majority of India is likely to experience “warmer than average” minimum temperatures this winter. This projection indicates an overall increase in the global temperature, a direct indicator of global warming across the planet. The ‘core cold wave’ zone of India, which includes several states, is expected to undergo higher minimum temperatures during the winter months. Interpreted data suggests that the warm surface waters of the equatorial Pacific Ocean might be contributing to this phenomenon. Notably, India’s average temperature is now 0.5 degrees Celsius higher than it was 50 years ago.
Expectations for the Core Cold Wave Zone
The ‘core cold wave’ zone of India covers numerous states including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Telangana. These regions are anticipated to experience an increase in minimum temperature this winter.
Warm winters coupled with a steady rise in the global temperature paints a concerning picture of global warming. Warming temperatures result in warmer than average ground temperatures, in turn causing a rise in minimum temperatures.
Global Temperature Projections
Projections suggest that the global temperature could see a drastic increase of up to 3.2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, leading to potentially severe weather events.
| Year | projected global temperature increase in degree Celsius |
|---|---|
| 2050 | 1.6 |
| 2100 | 3.2 |
Role of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
The IMD, originally established in 1875, is an agency operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Indian Government. It serves as the primary agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology in India.