Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): State is set to experience another spell of intense cold between December 23-25, which is expected to continue into January.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted dense fog in regions such as Gwalior, Chambal, and Sagar, while the night temperatures in cities like Bhopal, Ujjain, and Jabalpur are expected to drop below 8-10 degrees Celsius.

Currently, the state has witnessed some relief from the freezing temperatures, with a rise of around 2 degrees Celsius in night temperatures over the past two days. However, Pachmarhi recorded the lowest temperature at 2.4°C, followed by Mandla at 3.5°C, Umaria at 3.8°C, and Naugaon at 4°C.

Other areas like Tikamgarh, Rewa, Jabalpur, and Gwalior registered temperatures ranging between 5-6°C. Bhopal recorded 6.2°C, Ujjain 10°C, and Indore was slightly warmer at 11.6°C.

The IMD reports that colder conditions will ease temporarily as icy winds from the northern hills have subsided.

However, a fresh western disturbance is expected to impact the northern parts of the country, which will lead to another phase of biting cold in Madhya Pradesh soon after December 21.

Weather experts predict that night temperatures in the state could increase by 3°C in the next two days, but the chill in the air is unlikely to diminish significantly.

In Indore, the chill has been confined to the early morning and night hours over the past couple of days. While the city felt a nip in the air until 8 AM, the day turned sunny and warm, with the maximum temperature recorded at 24.8°C, slightly above normal. However, minimum temperatures have been on a gradual rise, climbing from 10.6°C on Monday to 11.6°C on Tuesday.

In Gwalior, the region has been gripped by severe cold for five days, with minimum temperatures consistently below 6°C. This marks the first time in three years that night temperatures in December’s third week have hovered between 5-6°C. Over the past day, the maximum temperature dropped slightly to 23.8°C, while the minimum increased marginally to 5.4°C.

The IMD forecasts that the state will enjoy a brief respite from extreme cold over the next 3-4 days, but conditions are expected to worsen as December progresses, with severe cold likely to return.