"We have recorded a plunge in the mercury in most parts of Punjab and Haryana. We have predicted a further dip, especially during nights in the coming days," the official said here.
Punjab's Patiala city recorded 5.5 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal for this time of the season and industrial city Ludhiana registered a minimum temperature of 3.9 degrees Celsius, three notches below average.
Chandigarh, which is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded a minimum temperature of 5.1 degrees Celsius, which is two degrees below normal.
In neighbouring Haryana, Ambala saw a minimum temperature of 4.3 degrees Celsius Saturday while Karnal and Hisar were 6.2 and 4.2 degrees respectively.
Published 18 December 2010, 05:02 IST