Dipping temperatures signal sharper cold trend across Karnataka

Bengaluru, Dec 28: Karnataka is witnessing a marked intensification of cold conditions this winter, with data indicating that the trend extends well beyond seasonal variation. Nearly half of the state’s districts have recorded extreme drops in minimum temperatures over the past two decades, pointing to a longer-term cooling pattern rather than an isolated spell.

Weather records show that a majority of the all-time lowest minimum temperatures across several districts have been logged only since 2005, despite systematic temperature monitoring being in place for over a century. This suggests a significant shift in recent climatic behaviour.

In districts such as Bengaluru rural, Mysuru, Raichur, Vijayapura and Bidar, the ten coldest years on record since 1901 have largely occurred within the last 20 years. Minimum temperatures in these regions have dropped to 9.5 degrees Celsius in Bengaluru rural, 8.1 degrees in Mysuru, 7.1 degrees in Raichur, 6 degrees in Vijayapura and 5.6 degrees in Bidar. Bagalkot, which has over four decades of temperature records, has witnessed eight of its coldest years since 2022 alone, with temperatures falling to as low as 6.6 degrees.

The recent dip in temperatures has been attributed to atmospheric disturbances, including western disturbances and changes in upper-level wind patterns. These conditions have prompted cold wave alerts in several parts of the state due to concerns over public health and the increased risk of fungal diseases affecting crops.

Climatic assessments indicate that all three seasons this year have been marked by extremes. An extended monsoon is believed to have created favourable conditions for an unusually cold winter, while a combination of global and regional atmospheric factors has contributed to the sharp temperature decline. The ongoing La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean are also considered a contributing factor.

Several other districts, including Kalaburagi, Chitradurga, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru, have experienced persistent cold over the past two decades, with minimum temperatures frequently dropping to 10 degrees Celsius or below. These districts have recorded seven to eight of their coldest years in the 21st century alone.

Historical trends suggest that temperatures are likely to dip further in January, particularly in districts such as Dharwad, Belagavi, Haveri, Davangere, and both rural and urban Bengaluru, where January is typically colder than December.

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including cold waves, floods, heatwaves and severe storms, reflects broader climatic shifts. These changes are linked to a combination of natural climate variability and human-induced factors such as deforestation, reduced forest cover and altered land-use patterns. Clear-sky radiation cooling and cold air movement from northern regions are also contributing to the sharper temperature drops observed across the state.