Winter coming early in India this year? Rain brings sharp temperature drop; should you take out winter clothes?

Weather Winter Forecast: The weather across several parts of India has taken an unexpected turn in the last few days, with widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and a noticeable drop in temperatures bringing an early taste of winter. In North India, particularly Delhi-NCR, the change has been hard to miss. People who were still dealing with relatively warm October days have woken up to cloudy skies, rain-soaked roads and a distinct chill in the air.

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The sudden change has raised a familiar question: Is winter arriving early this year, or is this just a temporary spell of cooler weather following rainfall? With temperatures falling across parts of North India and more rain forecast in several states, many households may already be considering taking out their sweaters, jackets and blankets.


However, a drop in temperature after rain does not necessarily mean that winter has officially arrived. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further rainfall and thunderstorms in several regions, suggesting that the immediate weather situation is still being influenced by active weather systems, not long term change.

Why has the weather suddenly changed across India?

The change in weather is linked to multiple active weather systems rather than the arrival of winter alone. The remnants of Cyclone Arnab, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts on October 28, have moved inland and weakened into a depression over south Chhattisgarh and adjoining south Odisha. At the same time, a western disturbance is influencing weather conditions over parts of northwest India. The combination has triggered rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds across several states.

The IMD has forecast fairly widespread rainfall over Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh on October 29 and 30. Punjab is also likely to experience showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds. Parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand are also expected to experience changing weather conditions.

The impact is not limited to North India. Several eastern and central states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and parts of Madhya Pradesh, are also expected to receive heavy rainfall. Some areas could experience very heavy downpours.

Southern India is also likely to see rainfall in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and neighbouring regions. This means the current weather disturbance is affecting a large geographical area, although the intensity and duration of rainfall differ from state to state.

Delhi-NCR temperature drops: Is winter arriving early?

Delhi-NCR has offered one of the clearest indications of the sudden change in weather. After Thursday's rainfall, the national capital woke up to cooler conditions on Friday, October 30. According to the weather report, Safdarjung, Delhi's base weather station, recorded a maximum temperature of 25.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday. This was 5.6 degrees below the normal level and the lowest October maximum temperature since October 8, 2022.

The difference was also visible in neighbouring areas. Haryana's Karnal recorded a maximum temperature of 20.6 degrees Celsius, while Punjab's Patiala reported 27.4 degrees Celsius.


For Friday, the IMD has forecast a maximum temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16-18 degrees Celsius in Delhi. The cooler conditions have naturally raised expectations of an early winter. However, a temporary fall in daytime temperatures following rainfall should not be confused with the beginning of the full winter season.

IMD weather forecast: Will rain continue in November?

The immediate weather outlook suggests that rainfall activity will continue in several parts of India over the coming days. However, the situation in North India is expected to change as the current weather system weakens.

For Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh, widespread rainfall is forecast for October 29 and 30, followed by isolated showers on October 31. Punjab may also receive isolated to scattered rainfall until October 31.

The IMD's forecast for Delhi indicates that skies are likely to become partly cloudy on October 31, followed by mainly clear conditions from November 1. Maximum temperatures could rise to around 29-30 degrees Celsius during the first few days of November, while minimum temperatures may remain around 16-17 degrees Celsius.

Should you take out your winter clothes already?

For people living in Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh, keeping light winter clothing handy may be a sensible idea. The recent rainfall has brought cooler mornings and evenings, and temperatures could remain relatively low during the night. However, there may not be an immediate need to bring out heavy woollens, thick jackets and blankets for everyday use. The forecast suggests that daytime temperatures in Delhi could climb towards 30 degrees Celsius again as skies clear in early November.

The difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures is also important. While afternoons may remain relatively comfortable, early mornings and late evenings could feel considerably cooler.

People in the Himalayan states and higher-altitude areas may need warmer clothing earlier because temperatures there generally fall faster than in the plains.

For residents of eastern, central and southern India, the immediate priority may be preparing for rain rather than winter. Heavy showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds could continue to affect local weather conditions.

When will winter actually begin in India?

The latest spell of rain may have brought an early taste of winter to parts of North India, but it is too early to conclude that the entire country is heading into winter ahead of schedule. India experiences different seasonal transitions across its regions. Northern plains generally begin experiencing a more noticeable winter chill as temperatures decline through November and December. Meanwhile, southern India continues to experience the northeast monsoon, which brings rainfall to several states during this period.

The IMD's October-December seasonal outlook had also indicated that rainfall would remain below normal across most parts of India, although some regions of northwest India could receive normal or above-normal rainfall. The department has not announced a single nationwide date for the beginning of winter. The arrival of colder conditions will depend on regional temperatures and changing weather systems.

For now, the recent rain has certainly changed the weather in several parts of India. But if you are thinking of taking out your entire winter wardrobe, it may be worth waiting a little longer.

The practical answer: Keep a light jacket or sweater handy, particularly in North India, but don't pack away your summer clothes just yet.