Delhi escapes icy grip—for now! Chilly fog, freezing winds expected post-December 19!

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Delhi-NCR is experiencing fluctuating weather conditions, with no immediate signs of an intense cold wave. The region awaits the impact of a western disturbance, which could significantly alter the temperature. Until then, daytime temperatures are expected to remain below average, with clear skies and sunny days forecast for now.

The city's residents are already grappling with the chill caused by snowfall in the northern hills. However, the likelihood of a cold wave in the coming days remains low. Following a sharp dip in temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday, Friday saw a surprising rise in the minimum temperature, jumping by nearly 4 degrees Celsius to reach 9°C.

Gradual Dip in Temperatures Expected

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there isn’t much likelihood of a significant drop in the minimum temperature until December 19. For the next five days, Delhi's minimum temperature is projected to hover between 8°C and 9°C.

Season’s Coldest Day Two Days Ago

Friday, December 13, recorded a minimum temperature of 9°C, which is 4.5°C above normal. However, Thursday marked the coldest December day in the past three years, with the minimum temperature plummeting to 4.5°C. Friday’s maximum temperature was 22.8°C, considered normal for this time of year. For Saturday, the IMD predicts maximum and minimum temperatures of around 23°C and 7°C, respectively, with some fog expected.

No Cold Wave Yet

IMD clarified that there was no cold wave condition in Delhi on Friday. It attributed the sudden weather shift to changing wind patterns. "The rise in minimum temperature is largely a local phenomenon, caused by variations in wind direction. Most parts of northwest India did not see any significant change in minimum temperatures," the IMD noted.

According to Skymet Meteorology, temperatures in Delhi and its surrounding areas are expected to either remain steady or drop slightly in the coming days. Significant changes are unlikely without further snowfall in the hill states. A cold wave is anticipated only if a new western disturbance occurs. Until then, daytime temperatures will stay slightly below normal, skies will remain clear, and there won’t be a substantial rise in pollution levels.

Rising Temperatures in Parts of Northwest India

Several places in northwest India, including Patiala, Karnal, Rohtak, Delhi, Sikar, Alwar, and Phalodi, witnessed a rise of over 2°C in minimum temperatures. Stations such as Sikar, Rohtak, Phalodi, and Safdarjung in Delhi recorded increases of over 3°C.

Air Quality Deteriorates

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the "poor" category, with a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 262. According to the Sameer app, out of 38 monitoring stations, three recorded AQI in the "very poor" category, while the remaining stations reported air quality in the "poor" or "moderate" ranges. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorizes AQI from 0-50 as "good," 51-100 as "satisfactory," 101-200 as "moderate," 201-300 as "poor," 301-400 as "very poor," and 401-500 as "severe."