The national Capital recorded its second-lowest daytime temperature of the winter season so far on Sunday at 23.7 degrees Celsius, with some parts of the city receiving thundershowers in the evening. The minimum temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning, two degrees below the season’s average.
While the air quality took a downturn again into the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI reading of 302 after having improved to the ‘moderate’ level at the start of December. The maximum temperature was recorded at 23.7 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal, compared to 25.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, according to the weather department. The lowest maximum temperature of the season so far was recorded on November 18, when it dropped to 23.5 degrees Celsius.
IGI Airport, Vasant Kunj, Hauz Khas, Malviya Nagar, Kalkaji, Mehrauli, Tughlaqabad, Chhattarpur, IGNOU, Aya Nagar and Deramandi), as well as NCR areas (Noida, Gurugram and Manesar) and Farukhnagar (Haryana) received light rainfall in the evening.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi is set to experience a sharp dip in temperatures, with the mercury expected to plummet to around 3°C from December 10. This significant drop marks the onset of a cold wave that will grip not only the national capital but also the entire northern belt, including Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, until December 14.
IMD has also warned of dense fog across parts of northern India on December 9 and 10, potentially reducing visibility and impacting transportation. IMD advised that fog may affect some airports, highways and railway routes in the areas of met- sub-division. “Chances of Tripping of Power lines in the very dense fog routes,” it said.
However, the chilling conditions are predicted to intensify due to a combination of factors, including snowfall in the northern hills and the influence of a Western Disturbance, which could bring light showers to the plains. These rains, expected on December 8 and 9, may exacerbate the cold spell further.
The IMD has forecast very light rain or drizzle for Monday and moderate fog conditions from Monday to Wednesday. The fog intensification will then reduce as shallow fog is forecast for Thursday.