BENGALURU
Bengaluru experienced an unusual spell of warm nights over the weekend, with minimum temperatures rising sharply to 17.4°C, sparking concerns among residents that summer might be setting in earlier than usual. Just a few days ago, night temperatures in the city had dipped to around 12°C, typical of peak winter conditions.
However, scientists from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) have reassured citizens that the sudden rise is temporary and does not mark the end of winter. According to IMD officials, colder conditions are expected to return within the next two to three weeks, including in Bengaluru and other parts of south interior Karnataka.
The brief warming has been attributed mainly to easterly winds blowing in from the Bay of Bengal. These winds have carried additional moisture into the region, leading to increased cloud cover over Bengaluru. The cloudy skies acted as a blanket overnight, reducing the loss of heat from the earth’s surface and resulting in higher minimum temperatures.
Meteorologists noted that several weather systems are currently influencing the region. An upper-air cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, a trough extending up to the Tamil Nadu coast, and another system affecting coastal Karnataka have together contributed to overcast conditions, warmer nights, and largely dry weather across Bengaluru and neighbouring districts.
While the city recorded milder night temperatures, the situation was different in other parts of the state. Central and north interior Karnataka continued to experience sharp cold conditions, with dense fog reported during late night and early morning hours. In contrast, districts such as Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar received isolated rainfall over the past couple of days.
IMD officials reiterated that winter conditions are expected to persist until the end of January. Minimum temperatures in Bengaluru are likely to dip again after January 5 or 6, with cold-wave conditions first affecting north interior Karnataka before gradually spreading southward. The chill is expected to ease only from the first week of February, they said.
