City remains under grip of chilly winds
Even as the maximum temperature of Delhi saw a significant increase on Saturday, the national Capital remained under the influence of chilly winds, a day after Delhi recorded its coldest March Day in six years and the cleanest air day in five months.
Safdarjung, representative of Delhi's weather, recorded a minimum of 13 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees below the normal and a drop from 16 degrees Celsius recorded on Friday.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 27.4 degrees Celsius, 3.9 degrees above the normal and 5.7 degrees increase from Friday's maximum temperature of 21.7 degrees Celsius.
Delhi had logged its coldest March Day since March 8, 2020, when the mercury had dropped to 21.2 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, other weather stations also marked a significant increase in the maximum temperature and a further dip in the minimum temperature. Palam recorded a maximum of 26.3 degrees Celsius, 5.3 degrees below the normal and a 5.1 degree increase from the day before. The minimum at Palam was recorded at 13.5 degrees Celsius, 2.9 degrees below the normal and 1.2 degrees drop from the day before.
Lodhi Road recorded a maximum and minimum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius and 13 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The maximum was a six-degree increase from Friday, and the minimum was 2.8 degrees lower than the day before.
“Continuous rainfall on March 18, 19 and 20 led to a significant increase in moisture content in the lower levels of the atmosphere. Following overnight clearing of the skies, there was a strong cooling of the ground, which in turn cooled the air close to the surface.
As the air cooled, it lost its capacity to hold moisture, leading to condensation of water vapour into tiny droplets and resulting in the formation of mild to moderate fog over Delhi-NCR,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet.
“Going ahead, northwesterly winds, which are relatively dry and cool, will start prevailing over the region. These winds will reduce moisture levels in the atmosphere, leading to a decrease in fog conditions. Temperatures will begin to rise gradually over the next two to three days, though the increase will not be sharp, and summer-like conditions will return progressively,” he added.
