Expect colder nights from Dec. 15

Nights could get colder from December 15 onwards till first week of January marking the ‘peak winter’ period for Hyderabad and Telangana, with minimum temperatures likely to be around 12-17 degrees in the districts, and 15-18 degrees in the twin cities, according to meteorologists at the Telangana Developing and Planning Society (TGDPS) on Friday.

After a few nights of cold weather earlier this month, the temperatures in the last few days have slightly risen ranging from 14-19 degree C in the districts and 16-21 degree in the twin cities because of the easterly wind flow from the Bay of Bengal as well as development of two cyclone low pressure systems, said senior weather consultant Y.V. Rama Rao.

With little chance of any cold northern wind flows in the next 10 days and or so and less likelihood of any rains due to the prevailing storms, the temperatures could be slightly above normal for the next few days. Temperatures will start dipping after December 15 when the northern wind flows will pick up and will continue into early next month, but will be well within the normal range, he explained.

The day or maximum temperatures are likely to be around 30-33 degree C in the districts and between 28-31 degree C in the capital region. “In the last few years the minimum temperatures during winters have been a bit higher than normal. The La Line factor – climatic phenomenon marked by cooler equatorial pacific ocean, could also result in ensuring this range,” said Mr. Rao.

“However, this will be interspersed with bursts of cold wave conditions when the northern wind flows into central TG areas of Medak, Sangareddy, Warangal, Khammam, etc., and the north Telangana ares of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and adjoining areas bringing the temperatures down by a few notches,” he said.

In fact, the minimum temperature gradient in the last 10 years has shown that there is not much change within normal range being maintained with a degree or two higher or lower. The normal temperature range is reckoned to be about 16-18 degree C. The average minimum temperature is 18.2°C and lowest minimum temperature has been 7 degree C recorded at Moinabad (Rangareddy) on November 20, 2016, the senior meteorologist added.