New Delhi: October 2024 marked India’s warmest October since 1901, with the mean temperature rising 1.23 degrees Celsius above normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD also forecasts a warmer-than-average November, delaying the onset of winter chill.

At a press briefing in Delhi, IMD Director General Mrityunjay Mohapatra attributed the unusual warmth to the absence of western disturbances, coupled with easterly winds brought in by active low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal.

Data shared by IMD reveals that October’s mean temperature across India was recorded at 26.92 degrees Celsius, the highest since 1901 and above the October norm of 25.69 degrees Celsius. The month’s minimum temperature also averaged 21.85 degrees Celsius, compared to the usual 20.01 degrees Celsius nationwide.

“In north-western India, lower temperatures depend on north-westerly winds, which haven’t been prevalent this season,” Mohapatra explained. “Additionally, a lingering monsoonal flow has restricted the expected temperature drop.”

Mohapatra further noted that temperatures in northwestern plains are likely to remain 2-5 degrees above normal for at least the next two weeks, with gradual cooling expected toward month’s end. He clarified that November is typically not categorized as a winter month in the meteorological calendar, with cold weather patterns generally emerging in December and peaking in January and February.

The IMD’s report signals a potential shift in winter patterns, raising concerns amid ongoing discussions on climate variability.