BENGALURU: December in Bengaluru has been unseasonably warm this year, marking the warmest December in the past decade. With an average temperature of 23.7 degrees Celsius, the city’s weather seems cozy and pleasant, but it is nearly two degrees above the normal temperature of 21.6 degrees Celsius for this time of year, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Bengaluru.
The IMD data, based on a 30-year average starting from 1990, reveals that December 2018 was the second hottest on record, followed by 2015 in the third position. Additionally, the IMD forecast predicts above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures for Karnataka and the rest of India from December 2023 to February 2024.
Scientists attribute the temperature rise to El Nino, a climatic event causing the warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This effect is expected to persist until March next year. While winter has set in, there won’t be any biting cold days like in 2022, said A Prasad, a scientist at IMD Bengaluru.
The IMD office in Bengaluru has been recording minimum and maximum temperatures averaging 18 and 27.4 degrees Celsius, respectively, using four of their weather stations in the city. Prasad explained that the region typically experiences winter characterized by western disturbances, which are storms originating in the Caspian or Mediterranean Sea, providing rain and snow to the Indian subcontinent. However, as these disturbances are currently at a low, Bengaluru is unlikely to experience a harsh winter this year.
As Bengaluru experiences its warmest December in a decade, residents are enjoying the pleasant weather, although concerns remain about the long-term implications of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. With temperatures consistently higher than usual, experts advise residents to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to cope with the changing climate.
While the warm weather may be a welcome break from the typically cooler December temperatures, the city’s residents should remain aware of the larger climate patterns and their potential implications. With forecasts indicating continued above-normal temperatures for the winter season, it is essential for authorities, individuals, and communities to prioritize climate resiliency and adapt to these changing conditions.
As Bengaluru grapples with its warmest December in a decade, the focus now shifts to finding sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change and ensure a better future for the city and its residents. As we continue to witness the effects of global warming firsthand, it is crucial to take effective measures to combat climate change and protect our environment for generations to come.
