Delhi shivers as winds, fog keep maximum temp low; IMD issues yellow alert

New Delhi : Cold day conditions continued to be recorded in isolated pockets of the Capital for a second day in a row, as upper-level fog and icy-cold northwesterly winds kept the maximum temperature at 16.7°C on Wednesday—marginally higher than the 15.7°C recorded the day before but still two degrees below normal.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that similar to Tuesday, two stations in the city, Palam and Lodhi Road, recorded “cold day” conditions. It predicted a rise in the maximum temperature by a degree on Thursday, albeit with no significant overall change, continuing the yellow alert that was issued the day before.

Met officials said shallow fog was witnessed on Wednesday, with visibility down to around 800 metres at Safdarjung and 600 metres at Palam. Although surface-level fog was mainly shallow, it persisted at the upper levels. “We are recording consistent northwesterly winds, which, alongside the fog, are not allowing the maximum to rise. While a few places saw sunshine, it was not strong enough,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet.

The IMD classifies it as a “cold day” when the minimum temperature is below 10°C and the departure of maximum temperature from normal is 4.5°C or more. It is a “severe cold day” when the maximum is 6.5°C or more below normal. Both Palam and Lodhi Road weather stations met this criterion, recording departures of -4.8°C and -4.7°C from normal, respectively.

The IMD has forecasted moderate to dense fog in the Capital and upper-level fog to persist across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) region on Thursday. On Wednesday, the lowest maximum was 13.9°C, recorded at Palam, followed by 15.9°C, recorded at both Ridge and Ayanagar stations.

The minimum on Wednesday was 8.6°C, which was two degrees below normal. This meant the difference between maximum and minimum temperature was only around 8°C.

Experts said the cold will intensify in north India until January 15.

Navdeep Dahiya, an amateur weatherman said with no obstructions, such as a western disturbance, expected till January 15, similar conditions should prevail, with single-digit maximums expected in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and parts of UP.

“On Wednesday, multiple stations in northern India narrowly missed a single-digit maximum, hovering between 10-12°C. Wind chill factor is leading to bone chilling cold in evening and these conditions are expected to intensify further on Thursday,” he said, predicting a maximum of 12-15°C for Delhi.

“The minimum may not fall like 2019, but it should stay between 3-4°C,” Dahiya said.