It was warmest Dec since 2017: IMD data

MAHESH PALAWAT OF SKYMET SAID A DIP IN DAY-TIME TEMPERATURE AND RISE IN NIGHT-TIME TEMPERATURE WERE SEEN ONLY TOWARDS THE LAST WEEK OF DECEMBER THIS YEAR (2023)

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

Sunday's chilly conditions notwithstanding, the month of December was on average its warmest in six years. The average daytime, or maximum, temperature was almost a degree higher than the long-period average (LPA) due to a lack of western disturbances, which in turn led to clear skies and ample sunlight.

In numerical terms, the month's average maximum was 23.7°C. The last time this number was higher was in 2017, when the maximum was 24.1°C.

In the last week of the month, however, ample moisture from a western disturbance created spells of dense fog, data showed.

The LPA for December's maximum is 22.8°C.

The average minimum, or night-time temperature, has been above normal too and was recorded at 8.5 degrees Celsius - having risen significantly in the last week of the month.

The LPA for minimum temperature is 8.4 degrees Celsius, data from 1970-2020 showed.