Gurgaon: The city recorded its lowest minimum temperature in 29 years for Oct night on Tuesday. At 12 degrees Celsius, the city experienced the coldest Oct night since 1997, when the lowest minimum was recorded at 9.3 degrees Celsius, according to figures shared with TOI. India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings of thunderstorms, lightning and possible hail over the next four days even as the maximum temperature stood at 30 degrees Celsius.An IMD official said historical data was missing for some years, making it difficult to establish a complete record. In Oct 1996, the city recorded its lowest temperature at 11.6 degrees Celsius. The IMD official also said, “Some weather monitoring stations in the city had started operating less than 10 years ago and therefore did not have long-term historical records.”In the morning, a cold breeze greeted residents as temperatures dipped, adding to the chill in the air. The minimum temperature at the city’s automatic weather station (AWS) fell 4.8 degrees as compared to Monday, when the minimum temperature stood at 16.8 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature was 31.6 degrees Celsius on Monday. In neighbourhood parks, morning walkers, joggers and yoga enthusiasts have been stepping out after 8am these days, as the morning chill makes early outdoor routines less inviting.According to IMD, Haryana’s average minimum temperature fell by 0.3°C compared with the previous day but remained near normal. Among other stations, Karnal recorded a minimum temperature of 13.9°C, Hisar 14.6°C, Chandigarh 14.7°C and Rohtak 15.6°C.Meanwhile, IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms in the city from Wednesday, with a possibility of hail on Thursday. A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of Oct 27, according to an IMD bulletin. Weather remained dry across Haryana during the past 24 hours. No rainfall was recorded at the stations listed in Tuesday’s bulletin.According to IMD’s Haryana weather bulletin issued on Tuesday, light to moderate rainfall is likely at isolated places in the city on Oct 28, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph. Weather conditions are expected to become more unsettled on Oct 29 and 30, when light to moderate rainfall is forecast at a few places in the city. IMD has also warned of thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph and hail at isolated places on Oct 29. On Oct 30, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are again likely at isolated places, while light to moderate rainfall may occur at a few places in the district. The spell may continue into Oct 31, when light to moderate rainfall is likely at isolated places, along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph.IMD’s warning map shows that parts of southern and eastern Haryana are likely to experience thunderstorms and gusty winds over the coming days, while several other districts remain under the no-warning category.
