This year you might need to pull out your woolen clothes a little too soon, all thanks to the La Nina effect in India. It is a natural climate phenomenon that happens periodically after a few years causing a drop in temperature.
Scroll down to learn more about what this cold spell means for the Indian subcontinent and how you can stay prepared.
What does La Nina Mean?
The La Nina effect is a natural part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. You can say that it is the cycle of oceanic “mood swings” that affect weather throughout the world.
ENSO has three phases:
- Warm Weather (El Niño): In this, the water in the central and eastern Pacific becomes warmer than usual. This leads to heavy rains in some regions and droughts in others.
- Cool Weather (La Niña): This happens when the ocean water becomes much cooler than usual causing the opposite effects to El Nino.
- Neutral weather: This is when the water is close to normal temperatures, leading to typical weather conditions.
This year, the weather department has estimated that colder-than-usual winter India La Niña is likely to bring chilly winds. You may have already started to notice a drop in temperature, as most people now use fans on the lowest settings in North India.
Moreover, it is predicted that the La Nina effect in India may usher colder wind circulation, those in the hilly regions may have to be ready to face frost, snowfall, or unusually chilly nights. Read the following section for more information.
Forecasts for La Nina Effect in India 2025
On October 8, 2005, the Indian Meteorological Department shared an advisory that La Nina effect in India have started to get more prominent.
So, the post-monsoon India colder winter 2025 is estimated to be harsher than what we remember from last year.
Which states are more likely to face weather changes:
- States like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Uttar Pradesh may face below-normal temperatures.
- Hilly areas like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, other Himalayan regions are expected to receive extended snowfall due to the La Niña cold wave India.
| Did You Know?
La Nina leads to stronger monsoons, as evidenced by “normal” or “above normal” rainfall in the La Nina years of 2020, 2021, 2022, and this time 2025. |
La Niña India 2025 Impact on Daily Life
The chilly weather due to the La Nina effect in India may affect people’s lives in many ways such as:
- The cold weather can trap pollutants close to the ground and worsen smog like situations. This can lead to respiratory issues across the nation in winter.
- There may be intense hurricanes and cyclones developing in the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Bengal during the La Nina period. Based on the recent news, a water spout (hurricane on the ocean) was formed in Odisha’s Chilika Lake in October 2025, reports The Economic Times. These incidents prompt the need for disaster preparedness.
- Due to heavy rainfall the rain-dependent crop may have thrived but other crops suffered damage, which may lead to variations in the crop yield.
Tips to Stay Prepared for the Weather
Now that you have understood about the La Nina effect, let’s check what you can you to stay safe and be prepared for the soon-to-happen temperature drop:
- Stay updated with official weather reports through news and broadcast messages from the government.
- Layer clothing to retain body heat.
- Monitor air quality and reduce exposure to pollution during the cold wave.
- Wear masks to filter out pollution during the peak smog peak.
To Sum Up
The la nina effect in India is expected to take over the winter of 2025, and it is likely to get much colder than usual across many regions. With the La Niña 2025 India winter season may have noticeable effects on agriculture, health, and daily life. It is advised to stay prepared for these changes and will help residents face the winter safely and comfortably.
