Expecting to be cooler than October, hot and dry, November began with an unseasonably warm temperature.

The first three days of the month recorded maximum temperatures of 32.6°C, 32.9°C and 32.8°C, respectively, all the highest since November 2012, according to data readily available with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) at its Sector 39 station.

At 32.8°C, the maximum temperature on Sunday was 3.8 degrees above normal, reflecting a worrying trend.

Before this, the highest ever maximum temperature in November was 34°C on November 1, 1970, as recorded at the Chandigarh Airport railway station.

Speaking about the unusual rise in temperature, Surender Paul, Director, IMD Chandigarh, said, “This reflects the dry spell we experienced in October as no rain was recorded last month. Additionally, during winter, cool, dry northwesterly winds help cause temperature changes, but the impact of Cyclone Dana changed wind patterns throughout the region, making it unusually warm.

Temperature likely above average throughout November

According to the long-range forecast released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for November, the region is likely to experience above-average temperatures this month.

On this, Paul added: “We are expecting less rain this month. Based on the long-range forecast, there is little chance of rain during the first two weeks of the month. This will lead to clear skies and warmer days.

Even though the average temperature is expected to start dropping week by week as winter approaches, Paul said, the maximum temperature is still expected to stay around similar lines in the coming days. He noted that current hot weather conditions were a reflection of climate change.

High temperature helps keep AQI low

On the bright side, the high temperature had a positive effect on the city’s air quality index (AQI). While it had entered the very poor category after Diwali night, the air quality has improved since then.

After remaining very poor for two days, the AQI improved during the day on Sunday as the temperature increased.

At 12 p.m., it was 195 at the Sector 22 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) and 186 at the Sector 25 CAAQMS, both in the moderate category. However, he was still in the poor category at 222 in Sector 25 SGQAA.

Speaking about this, Paul said that this is normal as the temperature starts to drop during the evening, leading to a higher temperature inversion and an increase in AQI.

The minimum temperature also rose from 14.6°C on Saturday to 15°C on Sunday, still 0.4 degrees above normal. However, it is likely that it will fall in the coming days.

Over the next three days, the maximum temperature is expected to remain between 32°C and 33°C, and the minimum temperature is expected to be around 15°C.