Tuesday’s day conditions were the coldest for any month in more than two years since Delhiites experienced an all-time low maximum temperature of 9.4 degrees on 30 December 2019, during a record-breaking spell of cold days that month. The last time a colder day was witnessed in January was in 2013, when 9.8 degrees on Jan 3 at Safdarjung.
Several spots in the city were even colder with Jafarpur recording a maximum of 11.4 degrees C, Palam 11.6 degrees and the Ridge 11.7. Gurugram too recorded a high of 11.7 degrees. The the minimum temperature too, at 6.2 degrees, was about two notches below normal at Safdarjung.
According to the weather department, the cold-day or severe cold day conditions will continue on January 26 due to low lying clouds blocking the sun.
However, the day temperature may increase slightly by a degree. The weather department expects proper respite with clear sun only after January 28, but that will mark the onset of a cold wave for at least two days, with night temperatures dropping.
“Tuesday was the coldest day for this season, and the lowest January day since January 3, 2013 when the maximum temperature was recorded at 9.8 degrees Celsius. Cold day conditions will continue on January 26. However, there could be a slight rise in day time temperatures. January 26 will also see strong winds, so the day time visibility may improve,” said R K Jenamani, senior scientist, India Meteorological Department (IMD).
He added that the day temperatures will substantially improve with sunlight from January 28 onwards.
“The maximum temperatures will improve from January 28 onwards. However, the minimum temperatures will fall, and there is a possibility of cold wave for two-three nights,” said Jenamani.
On Tuesday, the city also experienced shallow fog with 700-metre visibility at Palam and 800 metres at Safdarjung. For a day to be classified as a “cold day”, the minimum temperature must be below 10 degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature must be below 4.5 degrees of the season’s average. For severe “cold day” conditions, the maximum temperature must be 6.5 notches below the season’s average.
Meanwhile, the air quality remained within the poor category. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) on Tuesday, on a scale of 0 to 500, was 234, against 241 a day earlier.
“Air quality today has improved slightly but remains within the ‘poor’ category. Prevailing foggy conditions and low temperatures as well as low mixing layer height are preventing efficient ventilation of pollutants. The AQI is likely to be ‘poor’ on Republic Day. From 27th onwards, AQI is likely to improve due to relatively clear sky and moderate wind speeds enhancing ventilation of near surface pollutants,” said a statement from SAFAR.
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