If you were in Bengaluru this past weekend, you probably did a double-take at your thermostat and a triple-take at your wardrobe. The city, typically known for its pleasant climate, was suddenly wrapped in an icy, unfamiliar embrace. Residents woke up to a cold, gloomy, and damp spell that had everyone digging out their long-forgotten winter jackets and shivering over their morning coffee.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Bengaluru recorded its coldest day of the year, with the mercury dropping to just 20.2°C on Sunday.
- ✓ The sudden and intense cold spell was directly influenced by the passing of Cyclone Ditwah.
- ✓ On Saturday, the temperature was a chilly 21.6 degrees Celsius, a significant 5.8°C below normal for November.
- ✓ Residents flooded social media, humorously comparing the city's grey, gloomy weather to that of London and Scandinavia.
- ✓ The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that persistent cloud cover and lack of sunlight caused the dramatic temperature drop.
It all started on Saturday, November 29, when the daytime temperature plummeted to just 21.6 degrees Celsius, marking it as the coldest November day of the season. And just when we thought it couldn't get any colder, Sunday arrived and said, "Hold my beer," dipping even further to a brisk 20.2°C. So, what on earth was going on?
A Weekend Under Wraps
Saturday was the day everyone really started to notice something was off. The maximum temperature struggled to reach 21.6°C, a figure well below the city’s average minimum of 18.3°C for this time of year. To put that in perspective, the temperature was a staggering 5.8 degrees Celsius below what's considered normal. It was a cold that you could feel in your bones, even without any significant rainfall.
The sky remained completely overcast, creating a grey, muted atmosphere across the city. According to IMD Bengaluru's CS Patil, the culprit was a combination of factors all stirred up by a passing cyclone. He explained to the Times of India that the "drop in temperature is largely influenced by cloudy weather and increased moisture in the air, along with the breeze triggered by Cyclone Ditwah."
He pointed out that while a drop of one or two degrees is common, this was different. The mercury plummeted by three to four degrees, and the effect was undeniable. The streets were quieter than usual for a weekend, with most people choosing the warmth of their homes over the biting chill outside. Those who did venture out were bundled up in winter jackets and windbreakers, a rare sight in the Garden City.
The Science Behind the Shivers
Just as residents were getting used to Saturday's chill, Sunday brought an even colder reality. The maximum temperature dipped again to 20.2°C, with a damp morning low of 18.4°C. The humidity shot up to an incredible 98%, wrapping Bengaluru in a thick, wintry haze. A light drizzle added to the mood, with 0.2 mm recorded in the city and 1.2 mm near the airport, ensuring the skies stayed grey and the chill remained locked in place.
So, what was causing this prolonged cold-wave-like condition? An IMD scientist broke it down for us. It all comes down to the persistent cloud cover, which was a direct result of Cyclone Ditwah passing by. The thick blanket of clouds essentially blocked the sun's rays from reaching the ground. This lack of incoming solar radiation, technically known as "insolation," meant the atmosphere couldn't warm up as it normally would.
"This is because of the cloudiness, which is eventually due to the passing of Ditwah," the scientist explained. Without the sun to burn off the moisture and warm the air, the city was left in a misty, chilly state. It’s a simple but powerful atmospheric effect that transformed Bengaluru’s weather in a matter of hours.
The Internet's Hilarious Meltdown
You can always count on the internet to find the humor in any situation, and Bengaluru's sudden cold snap was no exception. As residents shivered, social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), lit up with a flurry of memes, jokes, and expressions of sheer disbelief. It was the collective "Is this really happening?" moment for the city.
One X user named Mohit noted that jackets and windbreakers had suddenly become the city's official uniform. Another user perfectly captured the feeling, posting, "Today felt peak cold. Looks like real winter has begun in Bengaluru." The sentiment was shared by thousands who were both complaining about and secretly enjoying the novelty of it all.
The most popular trend, however, was comparing Bengaluru's weather to that of famously grey and cold European cities. "Bangalore is donning a full Scandinavian weather these days. So cold, grey, gloomy, windy," one user wrote. Another, Hrishi, chimed in, "Cold, gloomy and raining! Bangalore is having London's weather today!" This comparison to London, in particular, seemed to stick, capturing the essence of the city's misty and melancholic mood.
When Will the Sun Return?
For everyone wondering if this was the new normal, the IMD offered some reassuring news. This chilly spell isn't here to stay. According to their bulletin, relief is just around the corner, with conditions expected to improve significantly within the next 24 to 36 hours. The worst of the weather system has already passed us by.
The IMD scientist elaborated, "The major portion of the system has already passed and once this system reaches more towards north we can see some sun." The forecast suggested that while generally cloudy skies and light rain might linger for a few more hours, the city would soon start to see the sun again. As the cyclone's influence wanes and the clouds dissipate, temperatures are expected to climb back toward their normal November levels of around 23 to 24 degrees Celsius.
So, while Bengaluru got to enjoy a gentle, misty, and surprisingly authentic start to winter, the city is expected to warm up gradually as we head into December. It was a brief, memorable flirtation with a climate usually reserved for places much farther north.
Conclusion
The past weekend was certainly one for the books in Bengaluru. A perfect storm of conditions, led by the passing of Cyclone Ditwah, plunged the city into an unexpected cold spell, with temperatures dropping to record lows for the season. The city shivered, complained, and ultimately, had a lot of fun with it online, turning the gloomy weather into a shared city-wide experience.
From the scientific explanations provided by the IMD to the hilarious "London weather" comparisons on social media, it was a fascinating few days. But as the forecast promises, the sun is on its way back. For now, Bengaluru can pack away its winter jackets and cherish the memory of its brief, chilly, and very misty "winter" weekend.
