Spring is dramatically disappearing from India. Here's why

Spring is dramatically disappearing from India. Here’s why

Spring is disappearing across India as human-caused climate change led to dramatically warmer February temperatures, according to a new study by Climate Central.Â

The analysis shows that many parts of northern India are experiencing an abrupt transition from winter to summer-like conditions as February warming rates have increased sharply in recent decades.

“The cooling in northern and central states during January was followed by very strong warming in February, creating a potential for a quick jump from winter to spring-like conditions,” said Dr. Andrew Pershing, Vice President of Climate Science at Climate Central. “By burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, humansÂ

have warmed the planet leading to warmer conditions in all seasons across India.”

The study examined temperature trends across India from 1970 to 2023. It found that every region has experienced net warming during the winter months of December through February, with the southern states showing the largest increases in December and January.Â

However, the warming pattern changes dramatically in February.

While December and January temperatures cooled slightly or saw minimal warming across northern India, all regions experienced significant warming in February. Nine states, including Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, saw a difference of over 2 degrees Celcius between their January and February warming rates.

“This contrast between January’s cooling or low warming and February’s strong warming means these northern regions now have the potential for abrupt transitions from cool winter temperatures to much warmer spring-like conditions that traditionally used to occur in March,” said Pershing.

Rajasthan experienced the largest “jump” in warming, with February temperatures increasing at a rate 2.6 degrees Celcius higher than January since 1970.Â

Manipur in the northeast had the highest overall winter warming at 2.3 degrees Celcius.Â

The findings support widespread reports from India that spring feels like it has disappeared, with temperatures shifting rapidly from winter to summer conditions.

“Warming is progressing fastest in the pre-monsoon spring months, causing an earlier onset of summer-like temperatures across India,” said Pershing. “Rapidly accelerating climate change from human activities is disrupting normal seasonal patterns.”

The analysis used data from the high-resolution ERA5 climate reanalysis. Climate Central says mitigating future warming will require steep reductions in fossil fuel use and other greenhouse gas emissions.