Residents of Delhi on Sunday experienced a warm day with maximum temperature being recorded at 28.6 degrees Celsius, a departure of 4.2 degrees Celsius from normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Cloud cover through the day further contributed to the warm weather.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature at Safdarjung was recorded at 9.9 degrees Celsius, a drop of 1.1 degrees Celsius from the normal. Temperatures across most of north India have increased by 3-6 degrees Celsius above normal in recent days. The Capital is expected to experience 30 degrees Celsius towards the end of February.
The national Capital has experienced no rainfall. Relative humidity on Sunday was recorded at 45 per cent till 1730 hrs. The weather department expects western disturbances to cause a fresh spell of rain in Delhi in the coming days. They are expected to influence the weather in western Himalayan, with light rain expected in the Capital on February 19 and 20. The weather department has issued an alert for rain on Wednesday and Thursday.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality has dropped to Poor category. On Sunday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was 294.
Air quality in the Capital declined after three days of being in the Moderate category. On Friday, Delhi experienced the cleanest air in four months when the AQI was recorded at 131. AQI of 132 was last recorded in Delhi in October last year. The air quality is likely to be in the very poor category on Monday.
Air quality is expected to worsen in the coming days, according to CPCB. On Monday, Delhi is expected to witness warm weather, with a misty morning and a clear sky later in the day. The minimum temperature is likely to be around 13 degrees Celsius, while the maximum could reach 29 degrees Celsius. This shift in weather is expected to offer relief from the recent cold conditions.
The Capital is set to witness a minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius with shallow fog on February 17 (Monday). The locals will with witness strong surface winds during day time on February 18 (Tuesday).