For the first time in recent years, the city has been experiencing quite a cold weather forcing residents indoors particularly during the evenings.
The Sankranti on Sunday happened to be the coldest day this season so far with the mercury dipping to 11 degrees Celsius.
While 11 degree in itself may not appear to be quite low, a comparison with the average city temperatures during the season will throw light.
The city generally experiences an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius during the winter. The sub-zero temperatures that are being experienced in the remote agency area of the district also reflect the severe impact of the winter this year.
According to sources in the Cyclone Warning Centre, the chilly weather is likely to continue at least for the next two days. The dip in temperature is caused by north north-easterly winds from the Himalayan region and Chhattisgarh where the temperatures are low. If the winds are from east south-easterly direction, they will contain moisture leading to higher temperatures, they explained. But when this phenomenon sets in is difficult to forecast.
Consequently, during the entire season the north, north-easterly winds may continue to blow over the Bay of Bengal and the coast maintaining the low temperatures. While this month is likely to continue to be cold, the scenario may stretch up to the middle of February.
Once the winds start blowing from east south-easterly direction temperatures will start rising giving a respite from the chill.
