Global Warming Threatens to Remove Spring Altogether

Manbilas Singh

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09-02-2025

5 min read

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Global Warming Threatens to Remove Spring Altogether

India has found itself grappling with what meteorologists describe as an “early spring-like” phase as soon as February. The prolonged dry weather and unseasonably high temperatures are disrupting the traditional seasonal transition, raising concerns about the long-term implications of climate change on India’s weather patterns.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), January 2025 was the third warmest on record, with an average mean temperature of 18.9C. It was also the fourth-driest January since 1901, making it one of the driest winter months in recent history. This has led to an accelerated seasonal shift, withFebruary unfolding temperaturesthat feel more akin to April.

Historically, March and April marked the arrival of spring in India, a period of gradual warming that ease the country out of winter and into the sweltering summer months. However, data collected by global meteorological agencies suggest that this predictable cycle is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Experts warn that the shift is not an isolated anomaly but a symptom of a deeper, systemic changeone that could soon make the traditional spring season obsolete.

IMDs outlook for February predicts below-normal rainfall across the country, particularly in northern India, further exacerbating the dry conditions. temperatures are expected to remain above average, reinforcing concerns that the transition from winter to summer is becoming increasingly abrupt.

in the Himalayan region, where historicallylow snowfall levelshave been recorded. This lack of snowfall has serious ramifications not only for regional water security but also for ecosystems that rely on a stable seasonal cycle.

2024, the Warmest Year on Record

The rapid warming disrupts the gradual transition of seasons, effectively eliminating the distinct presence of spring. Meanwhile, theWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO)has confirmed that 2024 is the warmest year on record, with global temperatures about 1.55C above pre-industrial levels.

For northern India, the consequences of these climate shifts are already apparent. The absence of a gradual seasonal transition could impact agriculture, water availability, and even human health as populations struggle to adapt to sudden temperature spikes.

As the evidence mounts, the question is no longer whether India is losing its spring but how the nation can prepare for a future where the traditional rhythm of seasons is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Addressing this challenge will require not only robust climate adaptation measures but also urgent global action to mitigate the long-term impacts of climate change.