India, Nov. 12 -- LUCKNOW Uttar Pradesh is set to experience a noticeable drop in mercury levels starting next week, ushering in the first real chill of the winter season. According to an extended-range forecast released Thursday by the India Meteorological Centre in Lucknow, temperatures are projected to plunge by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius during the second fortnight of November.

For the period spanning November 13 to 26, the weather station anticipates dry conditions across most agro-climatic zones, with no active weather systems or warnings currently in place for the state.

"Although a western disturbance located near Kashmir will not directly affect Uttar Pradesh, it is expected to trigger rainfall activity in the north-western Himalay...