The lowest minimum temperature of 15.4 degree Celsius in November so far this year was recorded in the coastal areas of the State at the Visakhapatnam Airport on Tuesday.
The Visakhapatnam city (areas closer to the coast) were relatively warmer, compared to inland areas like the airport, at 21 degree C. On Monday, the airport recorded a minimum temperature of 16.4 degree C.
“The lowest temperature ever recorded so far at the airport was 12.9 degree C on Nov 30, 1970 and the lowest temperature during winter was 10.5 degree C on Jan 6, 1962,” Director of Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC) K. Ramachandra Rao said.
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“The dry cold current from the north (outflow of Siberian high), passes across northern India, and comes to our area [south east coast]. Thankfully, we are not directly exposed to these dry cold winds as the Himalayas act like a shield. These winds pass through Pakistan and partially into India through Rajasthan. These westerly winds are deflected and become north westerly winds and reach our coast,” said P.V. Rama Rao, a former Director of the IMD.
“This year winter settled very early due to change in climate cycles. Absence of cyclones, barring ‘Titli’ and ‘Gaja’, is also another factor for the drop in temperatures,” Prof. SVSS Ramakrishna, Chairman, Board of Studies, Department of Meteorlogy and Oceanography, Andhra University, said.