Cold wave across Telangana: Hyderabad minimum temperatures to dip to 11–15°C next week

Hyderabad: Telangana is preparing for a sharp dip in night temperatures starting Friday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a statewide cold wave lasting through early next week.

After nearly 10 days of relatively mild conditions, minimum temperatures across the state, including Hyderabad, are set to fall to between 11°C and 15°C.

What the next few days will look like

Meteorologists say the cooling will begin gradually on Friday and strengthen through the weekend.

• Hyderabad is expected to record 14–15°C on Friday, slipping to 13–14°C on Saturday and Sunday, and touching 12°C, possibly lower in the outskirts, by Monday.

• Northern Telangana districts like Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad and Nirmal are likely to experience the sharpest fall, with 11–13°C predicted over the next three to four nights.

• Districts around the capital region like Rangareddy, Medchal–Malkajgiri, Medak, Vikarabad and Bhongir will hover between 11°C and 15°C, depending on local wind flow and cloud cover.

IMD expects dry weather across Telangana, with clear night skies accelerating the temperature drop.

Why the cold wave is setting in

This cold spell is a combination of multiple seasonal factors.

Meteorologist KS Sridhar, speaking to NewsMeter, explained, “The extended monsoon kept the lower atmosphere humid and delayed winter cooling. Now that moisture levels have fallen sharply, heat escapes quickly at night. Clear skies and light winds are helping the temperatures drop faster than last week.”

He added that northern Telangana typically cools earlier than the interior and southern districts, but this year the pattern is more widespread.

“We are seeing a uniform drop across many districts because there is no significant cloud band or western disturbance blocking outgoing heat. Radiational cooling is strong, and that is driving this cold wave.”

Seasonal context: Why this year feels different

This year’s winter onset follows an unusually long monsoon stretch into late October and intermittent rain in November. With the moisture now dissipating, the land surface is cooling rapidly at night.

Meteorologists say Hyderabad usually settles around 13–16°C around mid-December, but early dips close to 11–12°C indicate a stronger-than-usual early winter trend. Districts in northern Telangana may even approach single-digit temperatures later this month if dry winds continue.

Several forecasters note that Telangana experiences its ‘radiation-dominant winter’, where clear skies, dry air and calm nights lead to sharp temperature drops, even if day temperatures remain moderate.

What residents should expect

• Mornings will feel significantly colder, particularly between 5 am and 8 am.

• Interior and northern districts may experience dense early-morning mist due to colder ground temperatures.

• Day temperatures will remain relatively stable, generally in the 27°C to 29°C range.

• The cold wave is expected to persist at least until Tuesday, after which temperatures may stabilise depending on wind patterns.