Meghalaya is in the grip of an intense winter chill after Mawkyrwat recorded the state’s lowest temperature at –0.8°C on January 7, the coldest reading reported so far this season, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD has issued a dense fog and ground frost warning at isolated places for January 8, cautioning residents and commuters as dry but cold conditions continue across the state.
Early morning hours are expected to see reduced visibility, particularly in low-lying and valley areas. Mawkyrwat is the district headquarters of South West Khasi Hills district and is 75 kms from Shillong. Weather officials attributed the prevailing conditions to a cyclonic circulation over Tripura and neighbouring regions, extending up to 1.5 km above mean sea level, which is sustaining cold northerly flows over Meghalaya. In the past 24 hours, Shillong recorded a minimum temperature of 4°C, about 1.7°C below normal, while Sohra (Cherrapunji) touched 5.5°C. Several other parts of the state reported minimum temperatures close to or below normal levels.
For Shillong and surrounding areas, visibility may drop to 2,000–3,500 metres during the early morning hours, while daytime temperatures are expected to range between 13°C and 18°C in the coming days.The IMD has advised motorists to drive cautiously during foggy conditions and farmers to take protective measures, as ground frost can damage winter crops and vegetation. While fog is likely to persist at isolated locations after January 8, no further weather warnings have been issued beyond January 9.