January 1 may prove to be Ahmedabad’s coldest in 10 years

Chilly weather is likely to prove the biggest spoilsport during New Year celebrations in the Ahmedabad. The weather office has forecast a steep fall in temperature over the next two days.

The 'western disturbances' that caused the unseasonal rain on Tuesday and Wednesday is expected to weaken on December 30, after which cold wave conditions may return to the city.

Kamaljit Ray, director, Indian meteorological department, Ahmedabad, says that due to the unseasonal rainfall and 88 percent humidity, minimum temperatures in the state have risen and are currently above normal for this time of the year.

"But the cyclonic circulation is expected to weaken by Thursday," she says. "After that, temperatures will fall drastically. Cold wave conditions are likely on December 31."

This could lead to the decade's coldest New Year Eve and New Year Day in Ahmedabad. The minimum temperature in the city is forecast to fall to 7 degrees Celsius in the next two days.

The lowest minimum temperature recorded this decade towards the year-end in Ahmedabad was 7.4 degree Celsius on December 28 in 2005 and on December 27 in 2003.

Unseasonal rainfall (4 mm) occurred on Tuesday night and on Wednesday at some places in north Gujarat, including Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Himmatnangar and Ahmedabad.

Rain is forecast on Thursday as well though it will further bring down the minimum temperature over the next two days.

Night temperatures in parts of north Gujarat were higher than normal while temperatures fell in parts of coastal Saurashtra. The lowest temperature — 10 degree Celsius — was recorded at Naliya. Till Dec 31, light to moderate rainfall occured at isolated places in north Gujarat.

The outlook for the next two days is drastic fall in night temperatures in N Gujarat, including Ahmedabad.