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

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.