While most areas will experience above-normal maximum temperatures, the southern Peninsular region may see normal to below-normal temperatures. The absence of western disturbances during November contributed to the warmer conditions observed.
India is forecasted to experience a milder winter season from December 2024 to February 2025, with fewer coldwave days and above-normal minimum temperatures across most regions, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The winter is expected to see fewer coldwave days—typically five to six in a normal year—likely reducing to two to four days in 2024-2025.
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While most areas will experience above-normal maximum temperatures, the southern Peninsular region may see normal to below-normal temperatures. The absence of western disturbances during November contributed to the warmer conditions observed.
Furthermore, according to IMD’s latest weather forecast, on December 3, Kerala is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places, continuing from the previous day. North interior Tamil Nadu will see a decrease in rainfall, with isolated heavy rainfall likely after the extremely heavy falls on December 2. South Interior Karnataka will experience isolated heavy rainfall, following very heavy rainfall the day before.
Coastal Karnataka is also likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall. Rayalaseema can expect isolated heavy rainfall, continuing from December 2. Lakshadweep is forecasted to receive isolated heavy rainfall on December 3, with similar conditions continuing into December 4.
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IMD issues red alert for northern Kerala, heavy rain predicted
The Meteorological Department has issued a warning of significant rainfall in Kerala due to Cyclone Fengal, which has weakened into a low-pressure area over north interior Tamil Nadu and extending into south interior Karnataka. Meteorologists predict the system could move towards the southeast and east-central Arabian Sea near Kerala and Karnataka’s northern coasts around December 3. Kerala is expected to receive light to moderate rain, with some areas experiencing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
On December 3, heavy to very heavy rain is likely in the northern and central parts of the state. The forecast includes intermittent rain and occasional thunderstorms over the next five days. Red alerts have been issued for five northern districts—Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram—while orange and yellow alerts are in place for other districts like Palakkad, Idukki, and Kottayam.
Bengaluru to continue receiving rain due to cyclone Fengal
Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka are expected to continue receiving rainfall for the next two days due to Cyclone Fengal, according to the IMD. Rain began in Bengaluru on Sunday evening, and IMD officials stated that Coastal Karnataka and parts of South Interior Karnataka are likely to experience widespread rainfall on Monday, followed by light to moderate rain on Tuesday.
The Dakshina Kannada district, which was placed under an orange alert on Monday, is expected to experience “heavy to very heavy rainfall” on Tuesday as well. As a precautionary measure, all anganwadis, government, aided, and private schools, along with pre-university colleges up to class 12, will remain closed on December 3 in Dakshina Kannada.
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Heavy rainfall in Puducherry, schools closed
Cyclone Fengal has caused continuous heavy rainfall in Puducherry, following its landfall near the union territory on Saturday. In response to the severe weather, authorities have declared a holiday for all government and private schools, as well as colleges, on Tuesday, December 3.
“Due to cyclone Fengal, Puducherry received 48 per cent rainfall, which was unexpected. The Puducherry government has decided to provide relief assistance of ₹5,000 to all ration cardholders affected by the cyclone,” Chief Minister N Rangaswamy said.
Himachal experiences third lowest rainfall in November in 124 years
Himachal Pradesh experienced its third lowest rainfall in November 2024 in the past 124 years, with a 99% rainfall deficit. The state recorded only 0.2 mm of rain, far below the normal of 19.7 mm. This makes November 2024 one of the driest on record. According to IMD senior scientist Shobhit Katiyar, there have been 17 years in IMD’s records with no rainfall in November, and in several others, only 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm was recorded.
October 2024 also saw a significant rainfall deficit, with just 0.7 mm of rain, similar to dry spells in years like 2000 and 1943. The rainfall shortage in both months is attributed to changes in weather systems during October and November.
