Climatological Understanding of Heat and Cold Wave Variability in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Authors

  • RAJEEV BHATLA Department of Geophysics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, DST-Mahamana Centre of Excellence in Climate Change Research, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
  • HARI SHANKAR PATEL Department of Geophysics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
  • RICHA SINGH Department of Geophysics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
  • RISHABH SHARMA Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
  • B. MANDAL Department of Geophysics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v28i1.3217

Keywords:

Heat Wave, Cold Wave, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, MD gridded data, Excess heat factor (EHF), Kernel Density Estimation (KDE)

Abstract

This study examines the trends and impacts of heat waves (HWs) and cold waves (CWs) in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India, from 1961 to 2020, utilizing gridded daily maximum and minimum temperature data from the Indian Meteorological Department. This study analyzes the decadal totals of days, maximum continuous duration days, and mean maximum and minimum temperatures of HWs and CWs across nine meteorological stations. The findings reveal a significant increase in HW occurrences, particularly in stations like Fatehpur and Varanasi, while a decline in CW events is noted across the region. The Excess Heat Factor (EHF) index indicates a rising trend in heat stress events, and this study suggests that the intensity of HWs is increasing due to changes in temperature variability rather than mean warming alone.

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Published

01-03-2026

How to Cite

BHATLA, R., PATEL, H. S., SINGH, R., SHARMA, R., & MANDAL, B. (2026). Climatological Understanding of Heat and Cold Wave Variability in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Journal of Agrometeorology, 28(1), 59–64. https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v28i1.3217