Thursday, 13 February 2025 |AFZAL HUSSAIN FAUJI | NAINITAL
Nainital, known for its cold winters, is witnessing a drastic change in its weather patterns. This year, the mercury has remained unexpectedly high, with little to no frost and rainfall and snowfall have been significantly lower than in previous years. Experts believe that climate change is playing a major role in altering the region’s weather conditions.
According to scientists, Nainital in January recorded some of the highest temperatures in recent history, making the entire month feel warmer than usual. Even in February, temperatures remain above normal, primarily due to a decrease in humidity. The experts stated that the maximum temperature has soared past 22 degree celsius, whereas in previous years, it rarely exceeded 18 degree celsius. The ground has also lost much of its usual moisture, contributing to the persistent warmth. This dry spell has continued throughout January, a phenomenon never seen before in the region. Traditionally, January was the coldest month in Nainital, with residents often migrating to warmer places due to the severe chill. Business activities would come to a standstill, schools would declare a winter vacation of nearly two and a half months and government offices would relocate to the plains. The arrival of tourists during this period was nearly non-existent. However, things have changed drastically. I
nstead of the biting cold, Nainital now experiences an unusual warmth, with snowfall limited to higher altitudes. Only two days of rain were recorded throughout the winter season and frost, which was once common in January, was completely absent this year. December saw just two days of frost but January remained entirely frost-free, keeping night time temperatures higher than usual. The characteristic bone-chilling cold of Nainital’s winters was missing this time.
A senior environmental scientist at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) Narendra Singh attributes this warming trend to a decline in humidity, which has led to a rise in temperatures. According to him, weak western disturbances have resulted in a significant reduction in rainfall and snowfall, leading to dry conditions. This kind of weather in Nainital is unexpected and concerning, as it points to the larger impact of climate change, as per Singh.
The data from the ARIES over the past six years shows a clear shift in Nainital’s winter temperatures-
Year 2020 – Minimum: 0.23°C, Maximum: 17.73°C, Year 2021 – Minimum: 4.32°C, Maximum: 18.8°C, Year 2022 – Minimum: 1.25°C, Maximum: 14°C, Year 2023 – Minimum: 3.25°C, Maximum: 18.1°C, Year 2024 – Minimum: 4.88°C, Maximum: 16.3°C, Year 2025 – Minimum: 1.98°C, Maximum: 22.62°C.
Experts opined that if this trend continues, Nainital may witness even warmer winters in the coming years, posing challenges for its unique ecosystem and tourism-dependent economy.
