Punjab is witnessing one of the season’s sharpest cold spells, with several cities reporting significantly chillier nights and evenings. Over the next few days, minimum temperatures in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Patiala are expected to settle between 9°C and 12°C, signalling the early onset of winter across the plains.
In Ludhiana, the mercury could drop to around 10°C, while Amritsar might touch 9°C on some nights. Daytime temperatures are likely to hover between 24°C and 26°C, creating a sharp contrast between warm afternoons and cold nights.
Interestingly, some lower-altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh are recording temperatures similar to Punjab’s plains. Unamay see night lows of 10°C–11°C, while Kangra could stay around 11°C, showing that both regions are experiencing comparable early-winter conditions.
However, higher reaches of Himachal remain far colder. Shimla is expected to record night temperatures near 3°C, and Kasauli may dip to 4°C, with daytime temperatures restricted to 14°C–16°C.
According to weather experts, this sudden chill in Punjab is due to clear skies, north-westerly winds, and radiational cooling a process where the ground rapidly loses heat after sunset, causing a steep temperature drop at night.
The falling night temperatures may also lead to a decline in air quality across major cities, as colder, denser air traps pollutants closer to the ground. This could bring foggy mornings, poor visibility, and increased particulate pollution in the coming days.
Despite online misinformation, experts clarify that Punjab’s cities are not colder than Himachal’s hill stations. While regions like Una and Kangra currently share similar temperatures, mid-hill destinations such as Shimla and Kasauli remain several degrees cooler.
Residents are advised to brace for a chilly week ahead, with foggy mornings, cold evenings, and possible fluctuations in air quality across the state.
