A stable atmosphere is used to create misty wounds, while an unstable atmosphere triggers rain activity. The second half of December is expected to witness typical winter conditions in Kerala this year.
The dip in overnight temperatures signaled the early onset of winter in the Kerala hills, marking a departure from the previous year’s unusually wet and rainy winter, characterized by moisture intrusion and occasional rainfall in the hills till the end of January.
While winter looks set to enter the state early this time with a drop in day and night temperatures, the state will have to wait till the second half of the month to feel the pressure in the air.
The minimum temperature dipped below 20° Celsius at many places in the state in the last few days, which was 3-4° Celsius less than the season’s normal. However, this cannot be taken as an early start of winter as the atmosphere over the state is still not stable. The unstable atmosphere will continue to trigger rain activity, although there are no heavy periods in the current environment, said Neetha K. Gopal, director, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Thiruvananthapuram.
“The current drop in temperature was mainly due to the existing cyclonic system in the Bay of Bengal as the cloud cover associated with the system prevented the solar radiation from heating the earth’s crust in the state. Once the existing cyclonic system in the Bay of Bengal dissipates, the day and night temperatures will fall within the normal range as the easterlies would still prevail over the easterlies due to the storm surge in the state. However, the amount of rainfall will be minimal as the intensity the wind will reduce drastically as it crosses the mountain barrier and will not bring too much moisture to the state,” she said.
“In the second half of December, we expect an intrusion of cold winds from the north, which will turn into misty mornings with a drop in temperature in the hills and valleys of the high range of the state. The monthly forecast issued by the IMD also indicates a normal winter for the state in December, with minimum and maximum temperatures hovering around the long-term average of Kerala. Similarly, Marian winters will not be felt in Kerala. Effect,” she added.
Northeast Monsoon rainfall is 21% less in Kerala this time as on 1st December.
Published – 01 Dec 2025 20:56 IST
