Dense fog returned to the city on Wednesday night bringing visibility to near zero in several parts. Visibility at the IGI Airport was also reduced significantly affecting flight operations. Foggy weather is likely to remain in place for another couple of days. IMD officials attribute this to the onset of a new western disturbance leading to dense fog till the weekend.
“A new WD is moving towards Delhi and will be active over the region by February 2 and 3 due to which the weather is likely to remain cloudy in the coming days. Now the city has stable air with less movement. Formation of another spell of dense fog is likely from Thursday night which may be for a prolonged period. This will continue till Sunday,” said a senior Met official at the IGI Airport. The Met department has predicted a clear sky leading to a partly cloudy day with moderate to dense fog in the morning on Friday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to remain at 20°C and 10°C respectively.
On Wednesday night and Thursday, dense fog enveloped the city. “The visibility dropped below 100 metres during
9.30 pm on Wednesday till 10.00 am on Thursday because of which many flights were diverted due to CAT-IIIB. Aircraft operations were resumed to normal from 10.30 am,” said an official at the IGI Airport.
The minimum temperature settled at 10.2°C, a notch above normal, while the maximum temperature was recorded at 20.5°C, a notch below normal. The humidity level oscillated between 68 per cent and 100 per cent.
During last three nights starting from January 26, due to strong winds reaching up to 20-30 kmph, no dense fog was observed in the city. However, on Thursday, due to easterly winds setting up from noon, there has been heavy moisture incursion.
With inversion layer further building up strongly over Delhi, and lower level winds fresh spell of fog is expected from Thursday night. Sunlight hours will be significantly reduced January and day temperature may decrease. It may continue for the following days if the winds do not change.
