The weather may seem unpredictable on the surface, it follows the well-established physical principles of nature
BENGALURU
Bengaluru’s recent cold spell and dense fog have surprised residents, as such weather is typically associated with the northern plains of India. However, scientists stress that these conditions are natural outcomes of atmospheric physics. Kamsale Nagaraj, Professor of Physics at Bangalore University, explained that Bengaluru’s location on the southern Deccan Plateau, at an altitude of around 900 meters, significantly influences its winter climate. Unlike coastal cities, the absence of a steady sea breeze leads to large temperature variations between day and night. During clear, calm winter nights, radiative cooling occurs: the Earth releases heat absorbed during the day into the atmosphere as infrared radiation, causing surface temperatures—and the air in contact with it—to drop sharply.
When the air cools to the dew point, invisible moisture condenses into tiny water droplets, forming fog. Essentially, fog is a cloud that forms near the ground, scattering light and reducing visibility. Urbanization amplifies this effect, as pollutants from vehicles, dust, and construction act as condensation nuclei, facilitating droplet formation. Channabasanagowda S Patil, Scientist at the Meteorological Center, noted that higher pollution increases fog density. Another key factor is temperature inversion, where a layer of cold, dense air forms at the surface beneath warmer air. This traps moisture, pollutants, and fog droplets near the ground until solar heating disrupts the inversion.
Bengaluru’s topography also contributes: cold air naturally flows from surrounding hills into low-lying areas, such as airports, intensifying and prolonging fog. Once the sun rises, solar radiation warms the ground, allowing the trapped fog droplets to evaporate and improving visibility. Scientists emphasize that phenomena like fog, cold spells, and inversions are governed by the principles of physics. Understanding these mechanisms removes the mystery and highlights the logical, predictable nature of Bengaluru’s winter weather patterns.
