The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a significant dip in minimum temperatures by 2-4°C over various parts of northwest India in the next two to three days. A western disturbance impacting Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh has slightly increased Delhi’s minimum temperature, reaching 6.5°C compared to the previous day’s 5.5°C. Despite this rise, Sunday’s low remains two notches below the seasonal average for this period.
The IMD anticipates a further decline in minimum temperatures, with Delhi expecting to reach 5°C by December 21. While the western disturbance indirectly affects Delhi, causing cloudiness and a slight rise in minimum temperature, no direct impact is foreseen. The meteorological experts assure that cold, northwesterly winds are likely to prevail over north India as the western disturbance moves away. However, the onset of cold wave conditions is not expected at this point.
Minimum temperatures across most parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, UP, and some regions of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, north Chhattisgarh, western Gangetic West Bengal, north interior Odisha, and Bihar range from 5-10°C. The Capital recently recorded its lowest temperature of the season at 4.9°C on Friday, marking the coldest December day since New Year’s Eve in 2021.
While the maximum temperature on Sunday reached 24.7°C, three degrees above normal, the absence of dense fog and low clouds is expected to maintain maximum temperatures between 23 and 25 degrees for the next six days. Delhi experienced shallow fog on Sunday, with visibility dropping to 600 meters; however, it did not impact operations at the IGI airport.
Delhi’s pollution levels persist in the “very poor” category, with a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) reading of 331 on Sunday, a slight improvement from the previous day’s 354. Forecasts indicate that air quality is likely to remain “very poor” over the next three days.
In addition to the weather updates, IMD predicts light to moderate rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Mahe on December 17 and 18, with isolated areas possibly experiencing heavy to very heavy rain. Most places in Lakshadweep are also expected to receive rainfall from December 17 to 19. Offshore winds with speeds of 25-35 kmph are likely along and off the Gujarat coast in the next two days.
Stay tuned for further weather developments and updates.
