Delhi-NCR Rings In New Year With Foggy Mornings And Cold Waves

Delhi-NCR continues to experience biting cold and foggy mornings as northwesterly winds keep temperatures low and air quality fluctuates. On the last day of 2024, the national capital witnessed dense fog and persistent cold conditions, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting more of the same as the new year begins.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 10.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while the maximum was forecast at 15 degrees. A similar trend was observed on Monday, with temperatures at 10.3 degrees and 15 degrees, respectively.

Improved Air Quality Amid Chilling Winds

The city saw a notable improvement in air quality over the past few days, moving from the ‘very poor’ category to the ‘poor’ and eventually the ‘moderate’ level. Experts attribute this to strong northwesterly winds and recent heavy rainfall. The rainfall between December 27 and 28 significantly cleared pollutants, reducing Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to the moderate range.

Despite the improvement, cold winds and dense fog are expected to persist. The IMD has issued a warning for a severe cold wave in Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh starting December 31. Similar conditions are predicted in parts of West Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh by January 1. Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh are also set to experience dense to very dense fog in the coming days.

New Year To Begin On Chilly Note

On January 1, Delhi’s minimum temperature is expected to hover around 10.05 degrees Celsius, with a maximum of 20.84 degrees. Wind speeds of 25 km/h and relative humidity at 25% will add to the chill factor, according to the IMD.

The weather department predicts dense fog during the morning and evening hours on New Year’s Day, which will reduce visibility and keep daytime temperatures lower than usual. As Delhi and its neighbouring regions brace for a severe cold spell, the impact on visibility and daily routines is expected to be significant.

The IMD’s forecast highlights that Northwest India will face harsher conditions in the coming days, as the cold wave tightens its grip on the region.