Delhi and Gurugram woke up to bone-chilling temperatures this week, with the National Capital Region (NCR) gripped by an intense cold wave that has left residents bundling up in multiple layers, scraping frost off car windshields, and navigating foggy roads with caution. On Monday, Gurugram recorded a historic low of 0.6 degrees Celsius—matching a record from January 22, 1977—while Delhi’s Safdarjung station saw the mercury dip to 3 degrees Celsius. Surprisingly, these plains were colder than several Himalayan hill stations, including Shimla and Mussoorie, which registered minimum temperatures of 8.8°C and 7.7°C respectively.

Historic Lows in Gurugram

The 0.6°C reading in Gurugram on Monday marked one of the coldest January mornings in the city’s history. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, such extreme cold has occurred only three times before: minus 0.4°C on December 5, 1966; 0°C on January 11, 1970; and 0.3°C on January 22, 1979. This rare plunge into sub-zero territory left visible frost—or “pala,” as locals call it—on grasslands, crops, and vehicle windshields.

Residents described the chill as unprecedented. Jeeva Thavasiraj, a 22-year-old site engineer from Sector 66 in Gurugram, said, “I come from Tamil Nadu and have never experienced this kind of cold. Even with heavy safety shoes, our feet become numb.” Sunita Devi, a daily commuter from Sohna, highlighted the practical difficulties, noting that dense fog and frost on elevated roads reduced visibility, forcing vehicles to move slowly.

Plains Colder than the Hills

While it may seem counterintuitive, the plains of northwest India—including Delhi, Gurugram, Hisar, Amritsar, Churu, Karnal, and Meerut—are currently colder than popular hill stations in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. For instance:

• Hisar: 2.6°C
• Amritsar: 1.1°C
• Churu: 1.3°C
• Karnal: 3.5°C
• Meerut: 4.5°C

In comparison, hill stations reported warmer minima:

• Kangra (Himachal Pradesh): 3°C
• Palampur: 3°C
• Mukteshwar (Uttarakhand): 4.1°C
• Tehri: 4.1°C
• Mussoorie: 7.7°C
• Shimla: 8.8°C

IMD director general M. Mohapatra explained this unusual pattern: “Cloud cover over the hills, triggered by an active western disturbance, prevented heat from escaping at night. The night was cloudy over the higher reaches, which is why minimum temperatures remained higher there.”

In contrast, the plains experienced clear skies and persistent cold northwesterly winds, which caused strong radiative cooling—a process where heat from the earth’s surface escapes into the atmosphere at night, sharply lowering temperatures. The result: the plains are currently colder than the snow-clad mountains.

Factors Driving the Cold Wave

Meteorologists point to a combination of factors intensifying the cold in the plains:

1. Western Disturbances: These are low-pressure systems originating from the Mediterranean region that bring cloud cover and precipitation to north India. While they typically cause snowfall in the mountains, their impact on the plains includes strong northwesterly winds and temperature dips.
2. Upper-Air Cyclonic Circulation: A cyclonic circulation over north Haryana has reinforced the inflow of cold air, pushing temperatures down further.
3. Dry Winter: Northwest India has been experiencing an exceptionally dry winter, with rainfall deficits of 84.8% in December and 84% in the first ten days of January. The lack of precipitation has reduced soil moisture, limiting heat retention and contributing to colder nights.
4. Radiative Cooling: Clear skies over the plains allow heat to escape at night unimpeded. Combined with calm winds, this leads to frost formation and record low temperatures.

Visible Impact: Frost and Fog

The cold has left tangible marks on the environment. In Gurugram and surrounding areas, frost was observed over farmland, grasslands, and car windshields, making daily routines more challenging. Commuters reported dense fog during early morning hours, which reduced visibility on elevated roads and slowed traffic. Frostbite and hypothermia remain concerns, particularly for construction workers, street vendors, and other outdoor workers.

IMD has issued an orange alert across Haryana, Delhi, and neighbouring states, warning of cold wave to severe cold wave conditions, dense fog, and ground frost. Residents, especially the elderly and children, are advised to take precautions, including wearing multiple layers, using warm bedding, and limiting exposure to the outdoors during early mornings and late nights. Health advisories also caution about aggravated respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis due to the harsh cold.

Forecast and Relief

While Monday’s readings were extreme, temperatures are expected to remain abnormally low through Tuesday and the next couple of days, according to IMD. No significant rise in minimum temperatures is likely over northwest India until at least mid-week.

Meteorologists indicate that a fresh western disturbance is expected to reach the western Himalayan region from January 15. Although its impact on the plains may be limited, the cloud cover it brings could finally prevent heat from radiating away at night, providing slight relief. The combination of mild western disturbances and eventual southwesterly winds will help moderate temperatures gradually, raising minima by 2 to 4°C in the latter half of the week.

Health and Safety Advisories

Authorities have emphasized the need for precautions during this prolonged cold spell:

• Protective Clothing: Layered clothing, gloves, and woolens are advised, especially for those venturing outdoors.
• Frostbite Prevention: Prolonged exposure to sub-zero temperatures can lead to frostbite. Cover exposed body parts such as fingers, toes, and ears.
• Respiratory Care: Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions should avoid early-morning outdoor activity. Using masks or scarves to cover the nose and mouth can help.
• Road Safety: Reduced visibility due to fog increases the risk of accidents. Drivers should use fog lamps, maintain low speeds, and ensure vehicle windshields are clear of frost.

Why the Plains Beat the Mountains in Cold

The phenomenon of plains experiencing colder temperatures than hills during winter is a combination of geography and weather dynamics:

1. Radiative Cooling: Plains lose heat more rapidly at night due to clear skies, unlike cloud-covered hills that trap heat.
2. Altitude vs. Local Weather: While altitude generally means colder temperatures, local cloud cover, wind patterns, and atmospheric moisture can override this effect.
3. Western Disturbances: While these bring snow to higher altitudes, they simultaneously intensify cold winds in the plains.
4. Dry Winter: Moisture-rich air retains heat better. The unusually dry winter in northwest India has exacerbated the cold.

Until this pattern changes with the arrival of more western disturbances and some precipitation, the plains, including Delhi, Gurugram, and other cities, are likely to remain colder than many traditional hill stations—a situation that may seem paradoxical but is fully explained by modern meteorology.

Conclusion

Delhi and Gurugram’s record-low temperatures this week serve as a stark reminder that winter in the plains can be harsher than in the mountains, contrary to common perception. Frost-covered fields, frozen windshields, and heavy fog are all visible signs of the ongoing cold wave. Residents are urged to follow health advisories, take precautions, and prepare for several more days of severe chill before conditions slowly improve later this month.

Until then, it’s a rare winter spectacle where the plains—normally warmer and bustling—are outshining even the Himalayas in their icy grip.