The residents of Hyderabad and various districts across Telangana are waking up to a sharp chill as a long standing "cooling trend" penetrates the state. Though day has eased, overnight and early morning temperatures have dropped notably, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) pointing to temperatures that fall lower than the seasonal average for rural belts.
Tiryani Seasonal Low
The remote mandal of Tiryani in Kumaram Bheem Asifabad has once more become the coldest spot in Telangana after falling to 7°C this week a low record that sent shivers through the northern districts, where local officials warned people of the abrupt slide. Adilabad and Kohir in Sangareddy are also two areas trailing with minimum temperatures of 12.5°C today, where the latter is at least one of the lowest in its rank with much higher elevations and open plains.
Hyderabad’s Localized Chill
In the capital, the weather offers a story divided in half. Even if in urban pockets, the maximum temperature for the day reached a warm 32.4°C, however, the nights illustrate the story differently. At present, its minimum temperature in Hyderabad is 18°C, but the “feels-like” temperature is considerably lower, owing to persistent easterlies.
Outside of the centre of Hyderabad, remote areas like Rajendranagar and Moinabad are witnessing much cooler conditions that are only a 3-4 degree difference from the center. In addition, morning commuters have claimed mist and hazy conditions, especially along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the Shamshabad airport corridor, where visibility has been intermittent.
What Is the Science Behind the ‘Cooling Trend’
The cooling trend is fueled by low-level South-Easterlies and Easterlies dominating over the state, IMD scientists have said. Clear skies above the Deccan Plateau permit radiational cooling, in which the earth’s surface rapidly loses heat after sunset. This phenomenon is more pronounced in rural areas without the most “urban heat island” effect than in the city, which explains the severe readings of 7°C to 12°C in the districts vis-a-vis Hyderabad’s 18°C.
5-Day Weather Prediction for Hyderabad
Dry weather is expected to grip the state over the next week according to the IMD. No heavy rain is predicted and therefore the dry chill will continue.
| Date | Condition | Max Temp | Min Temp |
| Jan 22 (Today) | Partly Cloudy/Hazy | 29°C | 18°C |
| Jan 23 | Clear Skies | 30°C | 18°C |
| Jan 24 | Sunny | 31°C | 19°C |
| Jan 25 | Mostly Sunny | 31°C | 19°C |
| Jan 26 | Sunny | 32°C | 20°C |
Health and Safety Advisory
With the increasing difference in day and night temperatures (diurnal variation), health experts say there could be an increase in seasonal viral infections and respiratory problems. Residents are encouraged to:
- Wear layered garments in the early morning and late evening hours.
- Keep hydrated despite no thirst in the cooler weather.
- Be sure to have low-beam headlights on roads when crossing early morning fog on highways through the morning hours.
As the state gets ready to celebrate Republic Day, the weather should be good throughout the day. Nevertheless, there seems to be plenty of chance of some early morning parades under a cool, misty blanket.
