Madhya Pradesh ushered in February with a rise in temperatures, a trend that is expected to continue throughout the month. On the second day of February, several districts recorded temperatures above 32°C, including Mandla (32.4°C), Malajkhand (32.9°C), Khandwa (32.5°C), and Khargone (32°C). Other cities such as Betul, Ratlam, Damoh, Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Seoni, Tikamgarh, and Umaria experienced temperatures ranging between 30°C and 31°C. As February progresses, daytime temperatures are expected to rise further, with warm days and cool mornings and nights.
According to the Meteorological Department, a Western Disturbance will affect the northern parts of the state starting on February 3. The disturbance is expected to bring clouds and drizzle, particularly in the Gwalior-Chambal region.
However, the system is not expected to be very strong, and heavy rainfall is unlikely. The first week of February will likely see cloudy skies in some areas, but temperatures will remain high during the day.
Historically, February in Madhya Pradesh has been characterized by hot days with temperatures exceeding 30°C and cooler nights ranging from 10°C to 14°C. Rain is also common during the month, with showers expected around February 12-14. Cities like Bhopal, Indore, and Ujjain will experience high daytime temperatures, while Gwalior is likely to be the coldest, with temperatures dipping as low as 6°C in previous years.
In contrast to the severe cold that gripped the state in November and December, February marks a return to milder conditions.
Both of the previous months set record low temperatures, with Bhopal experiencing its coldest November in 36 years and December breaking records for the lowest temperatures. The cold waves in December lasted for nine days, prompting changes in school timings and the installation of heaters in places like Bhopal’s Van Vihar National Park. January saw a mix of severe cold during the first half of the month, followed by a moderation in temperatures.
The lack of strong Western Disturbance activity in January prevented heavy rains or hail, although day temperatures in some areas like Bhopal, Rewa, Sagar, and Jabalpur rose above normal.
Nights in January remained colder in several regions, with temperatures dipping below 12°C in areas like Rajgarh (8.4°C), Sehore (9.1°C), and Gwalior (11.6°C). Despite this, February is expected to bring further rises in both daytime and nighttime temperatures as the cold gradually subsides.