Vadodara: Dahod, long known for its dry and extreme weather, has surprised many by frequently ranking among the coldest places in Gujarat this winter — often beating or sharing honours with Naliya in Kutch.This shift was not sudden. It was the systematic recording of weather data that brought Dahod into the spotlight. Recent observations show that Dahod was the coldest weather station in the state on Nov 17, when it recorded 10.8°C, matching Naliya’s temperature.
On Dec 15, Dahod registered 10.9°C — the lowest minimum in Gujarat — while Naliya stood at 11.4°C. On Nov 11, Dahod shivered at 12.2°C while Naliya was two and a half degrees warmer at 14.7°C. Until 2021, the district lacked a reliable weather observation facility. That year, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) installed an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Dahod. KVK officials said the AWS had early teething troubles but has been functioning smoothly for about a year now. A senior IMD official said that while the system has been operational since 2021, historical climatological data is limited because the facility is relatively new. IMD has also stopped sharing AWS data online, even as more such weather stations have been added across the country. Weather experts attribute Dahod’s prominence this winter to unusual wind patterns. “Typically, Western Disturbances from the north-northwest cause sharp drops in temperature. This time, however, winds from the northeast have led to a fall in temperatures across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and even states like Odisha and Assam,” said Mukesh Pathak, meteorologist and CEO of the Gujarat Nature Conservation Society. Pathak added that Dahod and other areas near Rajasthan and MP were colder due to these northeasterly winds, while interior regions farther from the northern and eastern borders remained relatively warm because of an anti-cyclone. Interestingly, Dahod is not just a winter story. Last year, it also ranked among the hottest places in Gujarat. On March 9, the town recorded the state’s highest temperature at 43.2°C.
