Winter's Early Bite: Chandigarh Records Coldest Night in Eight Years

Well, if you felt an extra shiver last night, you weren't imagining things. Chandigarh, the beautiful City Beautiful, just plunged into its coldest night in nearly a decade. And frankly, it’s quite a significant drop for this time of year!

As November bowed out and December made its grand entrance, the mercury dipped dramatically, settling at a bracing 7.9°C. This wasn't just another chilly evening; meteorological records show it’s the lowest night temperature the city has experienced since way back on December 2, 2015, when it hit an even colder 7.4°C. So, for those keeping score, that's a full eight years since we've felt a chill quite like this.

To put that 7.9°C into perspective, the usual night temperature for Chandigarh at this point in the season hovers around a milder 12.3°C. That means we’re talking about a noticeable 4.4°C below the typical average. No wonder everyone's reaching for those extra blankets and warmer jackets! It’s a pretty stark reminder that winter isn't just knocking; it’s practically barging through the front door.

And it wasn't just the nights feeling the pinch. Daytime temperatures also followed suit, dropping to a cool 22.1°C, a few degrees shy of the typical 25.1°C we usually see. This pervasive cold across the board really signals a full-fledged shift in weather patterns, heralding the proper onset of winter conditions in the region. It’s a good heads-up for residents to prepare for what’s likely going to be a rather crisp season ahead.

Interestingly, Chandigarh wasn't alone in feeling this intense cold snap. Many other parts of Punjab and Haryana experienced similar dips. Patiala, for instance, matched Chandigarh at 7.9°C, while Ludhiana wasn't far behind at 8.1°C. Even Amritsar and Bathinda, often known for their sharp winters, recorded 9.4°C and 9.6°C respectively. So, while our city certainly felt the brunt of it, this cold wave seems to be a widespread affair across the northern plains. Time to grab that hot chai, wouldn't you say?