Why Telangana feels colder at night

Hyderabad: Telangana is currently in a dry winter phase with clear skies, minimal moisture in the air and noticeable differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures.

In Hyderabad, residents are waking up to early-morning lows of around 14–16°C, while afternoon highs are climbing into the 27–29°C range. This rhythm of warm afternoons and cool mornings is typical of inland winter weather when skies remain cloud-free and atmospheric disturbances are absent.

Interior Telangana is experiencing colder weather due to dry air and calm winds

Across the interior districts of Telangana, the cold is slightly more pronounced.

In areas such as Nizamabad and Karimnagar, overnight temperatures have been dipping into the 10–13°C range, while daytime peaks still reach the mid-20s Celsius. These conditions are a result of dry air and calm wind patterns that allow heat to escape more rapidly after sunset.

Cold wave influence

Meteorologists tracking the region describe this pattern as a mild cold wave influence, particularly affecting the northern and central parts of the state.

Meteorologist KS Sridhar, speaking to NewsMeter, noted that the lack of cloud cover at night facilitates radiative cooling, which drives overnight lows below what would typically be expected for this time of year. In some rural areas, minimum temperatures have fallen close to 10°C, which feels significantly colder due to the dry air.

“In contrast, Hyderabad’s urban environment moderates extreme drops somewhat; built-up surfaces retain heat longer, keeping minimums a few degrees higher than surrounding open areas. Still, morning temperatures near 14–16°C are cool enough that many residents reach for jackets or shawls in the early hours,” he added.

Noticeable ups and downs can cause respiratory discomfort

Health professionals in the region have observed that this pattern of cool mornings followed by warm afternoons has led to an increase in complaints of respiratory discomfort.

Cold, dry air can irritate airways, particularly for those with asthma or sinus sensitivity. Doctors recommend limiting outdoor exposure when minimum temperatures are at their lowest, typically between 4 am and 7 am.

In addition, while winter in Telangana does not usually bring the dense fog seen in northern India, the stable air and light winds can trap pollutants near the surface.

On a few recent mornings, air quality measurements in parts of Hyderabad briefly edged toward the ‘moderate’ range, though conditions improve once sunlight and warmth increase after sunrise.

Short-term weather forecast

Over the next several days, dry and stable conditions are expected to continue across Telangana.

No significant rainfall is forecast, and cloud cover is expected to remain minimal. In Hyderabad, early-morning lows will continue to hover around 13–16°C, with afternoons warming to 27–29°C under clear skies. Even toward midweek, this pattern will remain consistent.

In the state’s northern districts, the forecast suggests overnight lows of 10–14°C, with daytime highs reaching 24–27°C. These figures may shift slightly day-to-day, but no abrupt warming or cooling trends are expected in the coming week.

Meteorologists emphasise that daytime warmth does not negate the chill of the early mornings. The clear skies and low humidity that allow for sunshine also permit heat to radiate away rapidly at night.

What to expect in the days ahead

Residents across Telangana should prepare for cool early mornings and mild afternoons in the immediate future.

For those commuting or engaging in outdoor activity early in the day, light jackets or layered clothing will provide comfort when temperatures are in the low to mid-teens. As the sun rises and temperatures climb into the upper 20s, the day will feel relatively pleasant, especially in open, wind-exposed areas.

Monitoring daily temperature updates remains useful, as slight variations in wind direction or cloud presence can influence overnight cooling.

For now, though, Telangana’s weather is settled in a typical dry winter pattern, with minimums near 10–16°C and maximums around 27–29°C over the next few days.