Despite the formal exit of the northeast monsoon which usually heralds the setting of winter-like conditions over Kerala, the State is yet to witness nippy mornings, the distinctiveness of December and January months. The back-to-back weather systems formed over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, coupled with the drying effect of El Niño, are said to be keeping the mercury above the normal mark in Kerala.
In fact, winter in Kerala is very mild compared to north India, due to the maritime effect on the State along with the towering presence of the Western Ghats on the eastern side which prevents the intrusion of the cool northerly from the Himalayan glaciers. For most parts of Kerala, except for some pockets in hill stations such as Munnar in Idukki where the mercury touches sub-zero levels, winter is something like just cool mornings and then generous sunny weather during the remaining daytime. However, the overnight chill and misty mornings which are the specialty of the season is conspicuous by its absence this time around.
Both the minimum and the maximum temperatures have been ruling above the normal mark in most parts of Kerala in the first week of January.
