The above normal temperature spell this winter will continue through the month of January as a result of the continuing effects of El Nino, weatherman has said.
According to Laxman Singh Rathore, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), November and December were the warmest in terms of temperature usually recorded during winter and the spell is expected to continue.
2015 was the hottest year on record.
"The temperature in January is expected to be above normal. Also, duration of day will increase gradually and this will lead to rise in radiation, which will affect the temperature level," Rathore told PTI.
The MET department chief listed out regional as well global reasons for a warmer winter.
"El Nino, which is associated with the warming of Pacific waters is still active. This has had an impact on the winter this year," Rathore said. The El Nino was also behind the deficient Southwest Monsoon.
He also attributed an anticyclone in Central India for the warmer winter.
An 'anticyclone' is opposite to a cyclone in which winds move into a low-pressure area. In an anticyclone, winds move out from a high-pressure area with wind direction clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
