After some regions in the country experience a delay in monsoon withdrawal this year, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has now predicted a much harsher and extreme winter. It is because of the La Niña conditions that have been predicted to emerge between October and November.
What is La Niña?
La Niña is a term for a climate pattern that takes place when the temperatures in the equatorial Pacific ocean turn colder than usual. It is a weather phenomenon that leads to above average rainfall and extreme winter in India.
In fact, La Niña conditions have already begun to impact India with delays in monsoon withdrawal and an unusually early ‘first snowfall of the season’ in Kashmir. If the phenomenon has its usual effect, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Kashmir, and Uttarakhand will see the highest drop in the temperatures.
According to experts, there’s a 71% chance that La Niña will emerge this month or the next. It will not only result in cooler temperatures in North India but also lead to even harsher winters if it gathers full strength by February 2025.