Delhi Experiences Another Cold Night, Relief Expected This Weekend
New delhi: Delhi residents endured another frigid night on Friday, with the minimum temperature recorded at 5.6°C, as air quality remained “very poor.” While the cold snap continues, forecasters predict a warming trend over the weekend due to an approaching western disturbance.
Friday’s low was four degrees below the seasonal normal and matched Thursday’s as the lowest temperature recorded so far this season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipates temperatures will rise to between 7°C and 9°C on Saturday, and 8°C to 10°C on Sunday and Monday.
Along with the temperature increase,wind speeds are expected to pick up,reaching 15-20 kmph on Saturday. These stronger winds coudl help improve the air quality, currently at a “very poor” AQI of 327 as of 4pm Friday – a slight increase from Thursday’s reading of 304.
The IMD had previously predicted potential isolated coldwave conditions in northwest India through December 5, driven by cold northwesterly winds originating from the hilly regions. However, Friday did not officially qualify as a coldwave day. According to IMD criteria, a coldwave is declared when the minimum temperature falls below 10°C and is 4.5°C or more below normal, sustained across at least two weather stations for two consecutive days.
December 1st marked the coldest start to the month as at least 2011,registering a low of 5.7°C. Historically, Delhi’s minimum temperatures typically fall below 5°C in the latter half of December.The lowest temperatures recorded so far this December were 4.5°C on December 12th and 16th. For comparison, the lowest temperature in December 2023 was 4.9°C on December 15th, and in 2022 it was 5°C on December 26th.
