Hyderabad: Winter has given the city a miss in 2019 and we are now headed for a premature summer, say officials of the Meteorological Department. The minimum temperature has constantly been higher than the average by two to four degrees Celsius, confirming the hot conditions that have prevailed over the state the last two-three months.
“The minimum temperature has not been low this year so we can call it a hot winter for the city. This year is hot compared to 2018,” Dr K. Na-ga Ratna, director, IMD Hyderabad, told Deccan Chronicle. Hinting that summer could have alre-ady arrived in the state, she said that winter, which has a steep dip in temperature, is missing.
“Summer has come early for the state, as winter is having temperatures akin to summer where there has been no dip in the temperature, be it maximum or minimum. There are appreciably hot conditions prevailing,” she said.
She also said that this could well be the warm-est year in five decades.
“This year has been the warmest as there has been a lot of moisture coming over the landmass from either side of the peninsula,” said Dr G.S. Bhat of the Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.
Dr Bhat said, “These winds don’t let the landmass cool down. Instead, they increase the amount of energy the cold winds require to reach land.” He added that due to the moisture in the air, winter-related issues like chapped or dry lips have been absent in the city. “When there is a lot of moisture in the air, chances are that people might sweat or feel sticky,” he said.
While the city’s temperature had dipped to 9.5°C on December 31, 2018, it was only 14.5°C on December 29, 2019.
