Hyderabad braces for season’s first cold spell till Nov 19, mercury may dip to 11°C

Hyderabad: Hyderabad and several districts of Telangana are likely to witness the first major cold spell of the season between November 11 and 19, with the peak chill expected from November 13 to 17, according to forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and independent weather observers.

Day temperatures are expected to remain mild, but early morning and late-night conditions will turn notably colder, with the city’s minimum temperature likely to touch 11°C during the coldest phase of the week.

Northern Telangana to record single-digit lows

According to Balaji, popularly known as the Telangana Weatherman, “This will be one of the strongest November cold spells in recent years. Northern and western districts such as Adilabad, Nizamabad and Sangareddy could record single-digit minimums.”

He added that the expected dip is due to dry continental air from northern India combined with clear skies and weak surface winds, conditions that allow rapid night-time cooling.

IMD Hyderabad’s regional outlook

The IMD Hyderabad Centre has indicated that mist and hazy conditions are likely during early mornings over the next week.

“Under the influence of dry northeasterly winds and clear skies, minimum temperatures are expected to fall gradually over the next few days,” said meteorologist KS Sridhar, speaking to NewsMeter.

He further noted that a cold wave is declared when minimum temperatures drop 5°C or more below the normal average for a given region.

“For Hyderabad, this threshold lies around 12°C, so we may see isolated cold wave conditions if temperatures reach or fall below that point,” Sridhar added.

City-wise temperature projections

Meteorologists forecast that Hyderabad will experience minimum temperatures between 11°C and 13°C, indicating a moderate chill across the city and its outskirts.

In Adilabad, Nizamabad and Sangareddy, temperatures are expected to drop further to 8°C–10°C, signalling the possibility of a cold wave in those regions.

Warangal is likely to record cooler nights with temperatures around 12°C–14°C, while the southern and eastern districts such as Khammam, Mahbubnagar, and Nalgonda are expected to remain relatively milder, with night-time lows between 14°C and 16°C.

Experts also note that urban centres may stay slightly warmer than nearby rural or open areas due to the heat retained by buildings and road surfaces overnight.

Why Telangana is turning colder

Weather experts explain that this sudden shift is seasonal. “Post-monsoon months see dry, cloudless skies and stable high pressure over central India. The absence of moisture allows heat to escape rapidly at night, bringing down the minimum temperature,” said Sridhar.

He added that the state’s geographical elevation, with Hyderabad sitting around 500 meters above sea level, also contributes to quick radiational cooling.

Residents advised to prepare for cooler days

Health experts recommend precautions for vulnerable groups such as children, senior citizens, and those with respiratory illnesses. “People should wear layered clothing early in the morning and late evening. Those with asthma or allergies should avoid exposure to cold air during dawn hours,” said Dr Saket Menon, a pulmonologist, speaking to NewsMeter.

Authorities also advised citizens to plan early morning travel carefully, as fog and mist could briefly affect visibility on highways and suburban routes.

What lies ahead

The IMD has indicated that this cold phase may persist for about a week before night temperatures gradually rise again. Long-range models show that December is likely to be slightly cooler than average across Telangana if dry continental air persists.

Residents can stay updated through daily bulletins issued by the IMD Hyderabad Meteorological Centre, which continues to monitor the cold wave’s intensity and duration.