When the mercury dipped to 7°C in Sikar on the morning of November 8, 2025, it wasn’t just a chilly day—it was a record-breaker. For the first time in the 2025-2026 winter season, Rajasthan saw 11 districts slip into single-digit lows, with the Jaipur Meteorological Centre confirming the coldest November night in over a decade. Residents in the Shekhawati belt—Sikar, Churu, Jhunjhunu, and Pilani—wrapped themselves in woolens, while morning joggers stayed indoors. The cause? Clear skies and dry, biting winds funneling down from the snow-capped Himalayas, according to officials. And it’s not over yet.
How Cold Was It? The Numbers Tell the Story
The data doesn’t lie. At 7:00 AM IST on November 8, Sikar hit 7°C—the lowest in the state since November 22, 2019. Jaipur, the capital, saw 13°C, its lowest since December 2023. Even places known for warmth like Barmer saw highs of 34.1°C, underscoring the extreme contrast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 7.4°C in Fatehpur, 7.7°C in Dausa, and 8.1°C in both Ajmer and Sirohi. Jhunjhunu hit 9.6°C, while Bikaner and Jaisalmer remained relatively mild at 14.4°C and 15.2°C respectively.
These readings came from 147 automated weather stations across Rajasthan, all maintained by the IMD. Sikar’s station, located at 442 meters above sea level, is one of the most reliable in the state. The consistency of the data leaves no room for doubt: this is a genuine cold wave, not just a cold snap.
Why Now? The Science Behind the Chill
Here’s the thing: Rajasthan doesn’t usually get this cold this early. The last western disturbance—a weather system that brings clouds and moisture—dissipated over northwest India on November 5. Since then, skies have stayed clear, and dry, northerly winds have swept across the plains unchecked. These winds, originating in the Himalayan snowfields, have no moisture to absorb. So instead of bringing rain, they simply strip heat from the land.
“Since skies will remain mainly clear, and dry winds from the north will continue to blow, the mercury is likely to fall further,” warned a Jaipur Meteorological Centre officer in a November 9 statement to The Times of India. That’s the paradox: the clearer the sky, the colder the night. Radiation cooling takes over—heat escapes into space, and without clouds to trap it, temperatures plummet.
Meanwhile, the upper air cyclonic circulation over Haryana has weakened, according to the IMD’s November 8 bulletin. That means no relief in sight. The IMD, under Director General Mritunjay Mohapatra, issued a formal warning: cold wave conditions will persist in isolated parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh until November 11, 2025.
Who’s Feeling the Heat? Or Rather, the Cold
Approximately 15 million people live in the 11 affected districts. For them, this isn’t just discomfort—it’s a health emergency. The Rajasthan State Disaster Management Authority activated emergency protocols on November 8, deploying extra medical teams to rural health centers. Rajasthan’s State Health Department issued circular SHD/MCH/2025/1128, ordering all district hospitals to set up dedicated hypothermia units until November 15.
Older adults, infants, and outdoor laborers are most at risk. In Churu, a 72-year-old farmer was admitted with mild hypothermia after spending hours checking his mustard fields. In Sikar, schoolchildren arrived in bundled coats, some with frost-nipped fingers. Local clinics reported a 40% spike in respiratory cases in the last 72 hours.
And then there’s agriculture. Winter crops—mustard, wheat, and gram—are now under threat. Farmers in the Shekhawati belt say their seedlings, still young and tender, are turning brown. “We’ve never seen frost this early,” said farmer Ram Singh, standing in his field near Pilani. “If this lasts another week, half my crop is gone.”
What Comes Next? A Brief Reprieve, Then More Uncertainty
The IMD forecasts a slight warming trend starting November 12, 2025, as new western disturbances are expected to re-enter northwest India. Temperatures may rise by 2–3°C, offering some relief. But don’t expect a warm-up just yet. “The weather is likely to remain mainly dry for the next week,” cautioned the Jaipur Centre in its November 8 advisory to the Deccan Chronicle. That’s the contradiction: the same dryness that caused the cold may also delay the next rain.
Historically, the Shekhawati region has always been the coldest corner of Rajasthan. But this year, the cold arrived two weeks earlier than average. The last time Sikar hit 7°C in November was 2019. Before that? 2014. The pattern is becoming more pronounced.
Climate scientists note that while no single event can be blamed on climate change, the increasing frequency of extreme winter cold spells in northern India—despite overall warming trends—may be linked to Arctic oscillations and disrupted jet streams. “We’re seeing more ‘cold surges’ from the north, even as global temperatures rise,” said Dr. Anjali Sharma, a climatologist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. “It’s not contradictory. It’s complex.”
What’s Being Done?
Local governments have opened community shelters in Sikar, Churu, and Jhunjhunu, offering blankets, warm meals, and medical check-ups. NGOs like the Red Cross and local temple trusts are distributing woolen shawls. But in remote villages, access remains a challenge.
The Jaipur Meteorological Centre, operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has ramped up its alerts. Daily bulletins now include specific temperature forecasts for each district. “We’re not just measuring the cold,” said Senior Scientist Dr. S. S. Singh. “We’re trying to save lives.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sikar colder than Jaipur despite being farther from the Himalayas?
Sikar lies in the Shekhawati belt, a flat, arid region with minimal vegetation and low humidity. This allows heat to escape rapidly at night. Jaipur, while cooler than usual, has slightly higher urban heat retention from buildings and traffic. Plus, Sikar’s elevation (442m) and position directly downwind of the Himalayan cold air flow make it a natural cold trap.
Is this cold wave linked to climate change?
Not directly, but it’s part of a broader pattern. While India is warming overall, disruptions in polar jet streams—caused by Arctic warming—are leading to more frequent and intense cold surges from the north. This event is unusual for November, and similar anomalies have increased since 2015. Scientists warn such extremes may become more common.
How long will the cold last, and will it return?
The IMD predicts the current cold wave will ease by November 11, with temperatures rising 2–3°C by November 12. But with no major western disturbances expected until late November, another sharp dip is possible. Historically, Rajasthan sees multiple cold spells between December and February, so residents should prepare for more chilly nights ahead.
What should people do to protect themselves from the cold?
Wear multiple layers, especially wool and thermal wear. Avoid prolonged outdoor exposure before sunrise. Elderly people and children should stay indoors during peak chill hours (5–8 AM). Keep warm soups and drinks handy. If you feel numbness, dizziness, or confusion, seek medical help immediately—these are signs of hypothermia.
Are crops in danger? What’s being done for farmers?
Yes. Mustard and wheat seedlings in the Shekhawati belt are especially vulnerable. The Rajasthan Agriculture Department has issued advisories to cover crops with jute sheets and irrigate fields before dawn to create a protective moisture layer. Some districts are distributing emergency seed kits in case of crop failure. Farmers are being urged to report damage for potential compensation.
Why did Barmer have such a high temperature while other districts were freezing?
Barmer lies in the Thar Desert, far from the cold air flow from the north. Its sandy soil absorbs heat during the day and releases it slowly, keeping daytime temperatures high. While northern districts lost heat overnight, Barmer retained it. This contrast highlights Rajasthan’s extreme microclimates—one of the most temperature-diverse states in India.
