Karnataka Weather Alert: Cold Wave Returns, Bengaluru Foggy Mornings Continue; Scattered Weekend Rain

Winter has firmly settled over Karnataka, and residents are feeling its bite. After a brief respite, cold temperatures have returned across the state, including Bengaluru, bringing dense morning fog, chilly winds, and the kind of mornings that make even getting out of bed a struggle. The Meteorological Department has warned that these cold conditions will persist, while dry weather continues in many districts.

In Bengaluru, the city's weather has been unusually dramatic. Evening drizzles surprised residents in Whitefield, Baiyapanahalli, Padmanabhanagar, Gottigere, Marathahalli, Koramangala, Basavanagudi, Vijaynagar, ISRO Layout, and JP Nagar 6th Phase. Light as they were, these drizzles added a misty charm to the city while temperatures stayed low-maximums around 27-28 degrees Celsius and mornings dropping to a cool 15-16 degrees. The stark contrast between foggy mornings and sunny afternoons is not just tricky for daily routines but is starting to affect public health.

North Karnataka has felt the cold even more sharply. Dharwad, Bidar, Gadag, Vijayapura, and Belagavi are shivering under particularly low temperatures, while parts of Mandya, Shivamogga, Davanagere, and Hassan have recorded minimum temperatures between 9 and 14 degrees Celsius. Dharwad's thermometer, for instance, plunged to 12.4 degrees, making winter mornings bitterly cold.

While the north battles the chill, much of the southern interior, including Bellary, Bangalore Urban and Rural, Chikkaballapur, Chitradurga, Davangere, Kolar, Mandya, Ramanagara, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Hassan, Kodagu, Chamarajanagara, Mysuru, Tumkur, and Vijayanagar, remains dry. Coastal districts like Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada are also expected to stay rain-free. The northern interior districts, including Belagavi, Bidar, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Haveri, Gadag, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Bellary, Raichur, Yadgir, and Vijayanagar, will continue under dry conditions.

Looking ahead, the weekend may bring a welcome change. The Meteorological Department predicts light showers on January 9 and 10 in Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Kodagu, Mandya, and Mysuru. Don't expect heavy rains, but the drizzle could bring a refreshing pause to the cold spell. Adding to this, the India Meteorological Department has reported a low-pressure area forming over the southeastern Bay of Bengal, likely to intensify into a depression. While Chennai is bracing for heavier rains on January 10-11, Bengaluru may also experience light rain over the weekend.

Doctors advise residents to bundle up, enjoy hot meals, and protect themselves from cold-related illnesses like cough, cold, and fever. With dense fog in the mornings, drizzles in the evenings, and a chance of weekend showers, Karnataka's weather is keeping everyone on their toes. According to the Meteorological Department, Bengaluru's unusual weather pattern-foggy mornings and sunny afternoons-will continue at least until January 14, just past the Sankranti festival.

As winter deepens across the state, the combination of chill, fog, and occasional drizzle is a reminder to dress warmly, stay alert, and maybe, just maybe, enjoy a cozy cup of tea while watching the mist settle over the city.

Credit: Oneindia