IMD forecasts colder winter in plains, warmer weather in hills in Dec-Feb

India is expected to experience a ‘colder-than-normal’ winter in the plains of central, northwest and peninsular India but a warmer-than-usual climate in the hills of western Himalayan region, foothills of the Himalayas and Northeastern states in the forthcoming December-February months, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday.

- SANJEEB MUKHERJEE

The winters could be cooler in the plains due to the prevailing La Niia conditions though it does not have a direct relationship and also due to influence of the polar vortex.

Polar vortex is a long low pressure system located near the North or South Pole, especially during the winters.

La Niia refers to the large-scale cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, coupled with changes in tropical atmospheric circulation such as winds, pressure and rainfall.

It is generally associated with intense and prolonged rains in the monsoon season in India and colder-than-usual winters, particularly in northern regions.