BENGALURU: “ How on earth is Bengaluru so cold.” “Too cold today than usual #Bangalore.”

is abuzz with netizens pouring their views on Bengaluru weather, which has suddenly turned colder in the last few days. In fact, on Tuesday night, Bengaluru city almost hit a decadal low when it came to minimum temperature recorded for the city in January.

According to the

(IMD), the lowest minimum temperature for Bengaluru city for the month of January was recorded at 12 degrees Celsius in 2012. In 2009, the reading had touched 12.1 degrees Celsius. On Tuesday night, the mercury levels dipped to 12.4 degrees Celsius. The all-time low temperature for Bengaluru city, however, was recorded on January 13, 1884, when the mercury dropped to 7.8 degrees Celsius.

“Woke up to a cold morning in Bangalore today... Went back to bed and snuggled inside the rajai and had masala tea .Brrr,” tweeted Lakshmi Sharath.

An official at the meteorological centre, Bengaluru, said cold wave conditions prevailing at isolated places over south interior

, prolonged dry weather and clear sky conditions are reasons why Bengaluru is experiencing colder nights. “If these weather systems continue, there are chances of temperatures falling further. As on Wednesday, the lowest minimum temperature saw a departure of 3.4 degrees Celsius from the normal for the month,” he added.

The weatherman has predicted fog or mist during early-morning hours in some areas of Bengaluru. “Maximum & minimum temperatures very likely to be around 28 and 13 degrees Celsius, respectively,” read the weather bulletin.

Breeze from northeast

Pro f MB Rajegowda, an agro-meteorologist who works at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, however, said colder nights are natural during this season. “The period between December 15 and January 15 is the time when Bengaluru experience its coldest nights. But when there is a clear sky and there is effect of colder breeze from northeastern part of the country, the intensity of chill becomes severe,” he added.

North Karnataka hit as well

The officer further said cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are prevailing over a few places in north interior Karnataka.

, which hit an all-time low of 6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, saw only marginal improvement on Wednesday, with the lowest minimum temperature reading 7.2 degrees Celsius.