With the season’s first snowfall occurring in the Capital’s neighbouring locations like Mussoorie and Shimla, Delhiites witnessed a chilly Monday as the sky was cleared off fog which prevailed over the past few days. The chill was felt even more as cold winds blew throughout the day clearing the ongoing hazy conditions. The weatherman has predicted temperatures to fall further during December 28 and 30 owing to the onset of western disturbance.
“Snowfall in the hilly areas of northern India kept the region in the grip of cold weather on Monday even as scattered rainfall occurred in a few places. In Delhi, the city experienced winds which brought the chill but blew away much of the fog that had enveloped the city for past few days,” informed a MeT official. The maximum temperature was recorded three notches below normal at 18.4°C while the minimum was recorded at 12.5°C, five degrees above normal, the Meteorological Department said. The humidity level was as high as 100 per cent while minimum was 73 per cent.
Hill stations like Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, Narkanda, Sarahan and Sangla valley which are common weekend-getaways for Delhiites received moderate snowfall while the middle and lower hills were hit by rainfall over the past 24 hours. Neighbouring Uttarakhand also shivered under the worsening cold with the mercury plummeting at several places across the State. Mussoorie and neighbouring areas were covered under thick sheets of snow. “Manali received 12 cm while Shimla got 6 cm of fresh snowfall. Rohtang Pass has been closed and vehicular traffic suspended on the Manali-leh road beyond Solang,” said the MeT Department.
“Delhi temperature, on Monday, has risen compared to the previous days because the city witnessed winds which had a speed of 19 kilometre per hour. The night visibility dipped to as low as 200 metres. The average visibility throughout the day was between 500 metres to 800 metres,” informed the MeT Department.
Meanwhile, the officials have predicted the weather to get colder by the end of this month as light rains are expected. Fog conditions too are expected to worsen. Met department has predicted a mainly clear sky with possibility of fog in the morning tomorrow. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 19°C and 10°C respectively.