India's Nights Are Heating Up Quicker Than Days

Last month, several regions in India experienced prolonged periods of heat, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Analysis of the weather patterns revealed a notable trend: minimum temperatures are increasing at a faster rate than maximum temperatures nationwide. While overall maximum temperatures in many central and western parts of India were near or even below normal for April, the average national minimum temperature was significantly warmer than expected.

Delhi's Safdarjung station, for instance, recorded minimum temperatures averaging 2.2 degrees Celsius above its normal, while maximums were slightly below average. This warming trend at night leaves little time for the body to recover from daytime heat. The implications extend to agriculture, as high night-time temperatures can stunt plant growth by forcing them to consume energy built during the day, as warned by a UN report.