India's Cooler Months Warming Faster: Data

India's changing seasons

- Jayashree Nandi and Abhishek Jha

NEW DELHI: Rising temperatures across India are blurring seasonal distinctions, with traditionally cooler months warming at a faster rate than warmer months over the past century, according to data released this week by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The trend comes against the backdrop of the climate crisis manifesting ever more clearly globally, with 2024 marking India's—and the world's—warmest year.

Analysis of IMD's century-long temperature data shows the October-December post-monsoon season is warming at 1.01°C per 100 years, followed by the January-February winter months at 0.73°C. The March-May pre-monsoon and June-September monsoon seasons are warming at relatively slower rates of 0.62°C and 0.45°C respectively. In other words, shoulder seasons such as spring and autumn are shrinking.