Global Warming Alert: 2024 Becomes India's Hottest Year in Over a Century

According to IMD on Wednesday, 2024 was by far the warmest year the nation has seen since 1901. Additionally, it stated that while October 2024 was the warmest month in 123 years, the final three months of the year (October through December) were the warmest on record.

In 2024, the average annual temperature was 25.75 degrees Celsius, 0.65 degrees Celsius higher than the long-term average (1991-2020 period). An anomaly of 0.54 degrees Celsius was recorded in 2016, the preceding warmest year. The 0.11 degree Celsius difference between the mean temperature in 2016 and 2024 is a significant change when compared to annual averages.

2024, Hottest Year for India

India's record heat is in sync with an increase in global annual average temperatures as a result of accelerating global warming. According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2024 was the warmest year on record worldwide, surpassing for the first time the 1.5-degree Celsius warming over pre-industrial (1850–1900) levels set by the Paris Agreement. This comes after 2023, which was the previous warmest year on record with a record 1.45 degrees Celsius increase.

January Weather Forecast by IMD

• Warmer Nights Across Most Regions: According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), most of India is expected to experience "above normal" nighttime temperatures in January.
• Colder Conditions in Specific Areas: However, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and eastern India, including Bihar, are likely to see normal to below-normal temperatures.

Weather During Mahakumbh

When asked specifically about Prayagraj's weather during Maha Kumbh (January 13–February 26), Mohapatra stated that although there was a chance of below-normal (colder) minimum (night) temperatures at that time, IMD would offer a more accurate forecast closer to the religious celebration.

A January probabilistic forecast map published by the Met Department indicates that Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, may have lower daytime and nighttime temperatures (normal to below-average minimum/maximum temperatures) throughout the month.

Rainfall Expectations in January

In terms of rainfall, January is probably going to see a little bit more than usual for the month. If the distribution of the rainfall is consistent, this could be advantageous for standing rabi (winter-planted) crops during that time.

According to IMD, "Monthly rainfall for Jan over north India consisting of seven meteorological subdivisions (East Uttar Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh) is most likely to be above normal,"

According to the report, the country's monthly rainfall in January is also probably going to be higher than usual. With the exception of a few areas in northwest India and a few areas in northeast and central India, where normal to below-normal rainfall is forecast, most of the country is expected to see above-average rainfall.

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