Cold wave conditions in Delhi abated on Wednesday after five days with a rise in the minimum temperature above 4°C for the first time since Friday even as the intensity of morning fog reduced and the air quality remained very poor. The Safdarjung station, Delhi’s primary, on Wednesday recorded a minimum temperature of 5.7 degree Celsius or two degrees below normal. It was 3.5°C a day earlier.  The maximum temperature was recorded 18.2 degree Celsius, one notch below the normal. Delhiites experienced sunlight during the day, which gave respite from the icy cold winds. An average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 373 (very poor) was recorded at 9am on Wednesday compared to 377 (very poor) at 4pm on Tuesday.

The national capital is experiencing cold-day conditions for the seventh consecutive day.  The minimum temperature in Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge and Ayanagar was recorded 5.5 degree Celsius( two notches below the normal), 5.8 degree Celsius , 5.2 degree Celsius ( four notches below the normal) and 5.4 degree Celsius ( two notches below the normal) respectively. The maximum temperature in Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge, Ayanagar, Jafarpur, Mangeshpur and Narela was recorded 18 degree Celsius, 17.7 degree Celsius,  18.3 degree Celsius, 18.8 degree Celsius, 17.7 degree Celsius, 16 degree Celsius and 17.3 degree Celsius respectively.

Moderate fog was observed in Delhi with dense fog conditions recorded in isolated parts of the the city at 5:30 am.The visibility recorded at Delhi's main weather station -- Safdarjung observatory -- and Palam was 200 metres at 5:30 am.Around 20 Delhi-bound trains were running late by up to six hours due to the weather conditions. Passengers were seen waiting at the New Delhi Railway Station as several trains got delayed amid poor visibility due to the fog. Satellite imagery showed a reduction in fog over Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, northern Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.

"The distinction between low clouds and fog in satellite imagery is often a challenge," an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Early-morning foggy weather in north and northeast India has heavily impacted road, rail and air traffic over the last fortnight.

Several people took refuge in government-run shelter homes to shield themselves from the freezing weather.  The night shelters in Delhi are aimed at providing a refuge to homeless people who live on the streets and have nowhere else to go in the cold. The shelters offer blankets, beds, hot water, and food to those seeking shelter.

The IMD said dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to prevail over north India for the next five days.

It said cold-day to severe-cold-day conditions would persist over the northern plains for two more days. "Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are likely to continue over northwest India for five days," it said.