As the winter chill tightens its grip, the minimum temperature in the national capital plummeted to 4.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday, marking the season’s lowest so far. Delhi’s minimum temperature on Saturday was 2.7 degrees below the season’s average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The previous coldest January day in recent years was on January 15, 2024, when temperatures had dropped to 3.3 degrees Celsius, triggering cold wave conditions across the city.

Station-wise readings showed a sharp dip across Delhi: Safdarjung at 4.2°C, Palam 4.5°C, Lodhi Road 4.7°C, Ridge 5.3°C, and Ayanagar 4.5°C. Friday had recorded the second-coldest morning of the season at 4.6°C, while the third-lowest minimums were noted on December 4 and 5 (5.6°C) and December 1 (5.7°C), PTI reported.

Foggy Conditions Likely In Delhi Today, Fog Hits Flight Ops

Further, the IMD has forecast dense fog during the day. Relative humidity was recorded at 100% at 9 am, adding to the cold and damp conditions.

Additionally, visibility dropped significantly in the city, with dense fog enveloping the city. Due to adverse weather conditions, several flights were delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in the city.

Visuals have emerged from several areas being engulfed by thick smog in the early hours on Saturday, as the air quality was recorded in “very poor" category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 366, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.

With temperatures plunging across the city and poor air quality persisting, residents are advised to take precautions, especially during early morning hours when cold and fog are at their peak.

According to CPCB classification, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.

Source: India Today