KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 27
The mercury has dropped due to the influence of various seasonal impacts and local phenomenon as a few more days are left for the official onset of the winter season in the country.
Winter is said to enter the country from December 1, but people living in Kathmandu valley have already experienced comparatively cold temperature in the past couple of days. The minimum temperature in Kathmandu has decreased by almost one degree Celsius with each passing day in the past few days, as per meteorologists. Yesterday, the minimum temperature was recorded at 7.6 degrees Celsius in Kathmandu while meteorologists unofficially said that temperature was below 6.5 degree Celsius this morning. On Thursday, the minimum temperature was at 8.8 degrees Celsius.
But unlike in the core winter days, the maximum temperature has remained at around 20 degree Celsius. Yesterday, Kathmandu recorded maximum temperature at 19.6 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists say that people's perception of winter is normally high when the minimum temperature dips suddenly while maximum temperature drops down gradually.
"Similar conditions are seen in Kathmandu these days," said Raju Pradhananga, senior Divisional Meteorologist of Meteorological Forecasting Division. "The minimum temperature has dropped swiftly compared to the maximum temperature which has made people feel the chilling cold in the past couple of days," Pradhananga added.
He further said cloudy weather in Kathmandu in the past couple of days also resulted in the swift decline in the temperature. This is because of the low-pressure system created around the northern part of Bangladesh that is flowing moisture filled cold wind inside the country. This will continue to create cloudy weather in Province 1, Bagmati, and Gandaki for the next two days.
Light rainfall is also likely in the mountainous region of these provinces. Likewise, Tarai region is also likely to witness fog for the next few days, as per MFD.
Winter occurs in the country as the sun shifts towards the southern hemisphere and far from the Earth, thereby bringing cold temperature.
Also, days becomes shorter and nights longer in the winter while the land surface becomes cold.
Similarly, the north-western wind flowing in winter brings in chill air from the Himalayan ranges, thereby further decreasing the temperature in Nepal.
The MFD has called everyone to become extra cautious and keep themselves warm as sudden cold can affect health in different ways.
A version of this article appears in the print on November 28, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
