Global warming Impact on climate in India

Source-This post on Global warming’s Impact on climate is based on the article “Spring season ‘disappearing’ in many States, Shows Study” published in “The Hindu” on 19th March 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, a 50-year analysis of meteorological records suggests that various states in India is registering a withdrawal of spring.

Findings of the study

1. There has been warming of winter season across India, affecting every region during this season.

a) Manipur has witnessed the most significant change in average winter temperature since 1970, with an increase of2.3°C.

b) Delhi experienced the smallest change in average winter temperature, with only 0.2°C difference.

2. Winter is the fastest warming season for 12 out of the 34 States and territories. Autumn was the fastest warming season in 13 regions.

3. Pattern during the winter: There were significant differences in the pattern of temperature changes during the winter.

a) The southern part of the country had “strong” warming in December and January.

b) Sikkim (2.4 degrees Celsius) and Manipur (2.1 degrees Celsius) had the largest changes in temperature in December and January, respectively.

c) The northern part of the country had weaker warming and even cooling during December and January.

d) Delhi had the lowest rates during this period

e) Among the States, Ladakh and Uttar Pradesh had the lowest warming rates.

4. Pattern during January-February: The pattern changes dramatically between January and February.

a) In February, all regions experienced warming, with particularly significant increases in areas that had previously shown cooling or minimal warming.

b) Jammu and Kashmir had the highest warming, while Telangana had the lowest.

c) The contrast between January trends (cooling or slight warming) and February (strong warming) means that regions in northern India now have the potential for abrupt transitions from cool winter-like temperatures to much warmer conditions traditionally observed in March.

d) Rajasthan has highest warming rates where the warming in February was 2.6 degrees Celsius higher than in January.

e) A total of nine States and Union Territories showed a January-February difference of more than 2 degrees Celsius: Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.

5. Reason for the change: Warming of winter in South India and the lack of rainfall in the North in winter is due to an aberration in the pattern of Western Disturbances and the jet stream. 

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