The season typically begins its gentle prodding in late October, immediately following the departure of the monsoon. The transition is marked by a shift in the air; the heavy, sticky humidity lifts, replaced by a crispness that feels almost foreign. The sky, previously a pale, washed-out grey during the rains, transforms into a piercing, azure blue.
The cold weather of winter brings its own set of health challenges. The dense fog and cold winds can lead to respiratory issues, particularly for people with pre-existing conditions like asthma. It is also a time when the skin tends to get dry and requires extra care. However, the cold weather also encourages people to engage in physical activities like running, hiking, and yoga to keep themselves warm and healthy.
Winter Start in India: A Seasonal and Regional Guide In India, winter typically begins in in the northern regions and generally lasts until February . While the official India Meteorological Department (IMD) calendar designates winter from December to February , the vast geography of the country means the "start" of the cold season varies significantly by region. Regional Onset of Winter winter start in india
Because it is the season of festivals that celebrate light (Diwali, though technically autumn, bleeds into winter) and harvest (Lohri, Pongal, Makar Sankranti). It is wedding season. It is the season of bonfires, of sitting on rooftop terraces wrapped in shawls, of sipping soup from a mug, and of wearing that woollen sweater your grandmother knitted three years ago.
Nature, too, puts on a show. The dry forests of deciduous India turn into artists' palettes—leaves turning yellow, rust, and red before falling. The landscape is no longer the monotonous green of the monsoon but a varied tapestry of earth tones. The season typically begins its gentle prodding in
But a deep post cannot romanticize blindly. The start of winter in India also brings the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), though we rarely name it. The short days, the grey fog, and the lack of sunlight in places like Delhi and Kolkata trigger a quiet, pervasive melancholy. The start of winter is when the elderly start feeling their joints ache. It is when the homeless in the cities start gathering around bonfires made of scrap wood. For millions of daily wage laborers, the "start of winter" is not poetic; it is a threat. It is the season of survival.
The air has a crunch . Not a cold crunch like a New England frost, but a dry, crisp edge that sharpens the nostrils. The sunlight changes from white and blinding to a soft, buttery gold. The shadows grow longer, lazier. Suddenly, the afternoon nap isn't a necessity; it’s a luxury. The cold weather of winter brings its own
Central India sees a moderate dip starting in late November or early December. South India, however, does not have a distinct winter; coastal areas like Chennai remain warm, with average temperatures staying between 24°C and 25°C even in the peak of the season. Key Weather Characteristics
As winter takes hold, several atmospheric changes occur across the subcontinent:
The transition from the retreating monsoon to winter is marked by a drop in temperature that moves from North to South.