Home / Weather / Delhi Freezes: City Plunges to 3°C Amidst Cold Wave
Delhi Freezes: City Plunges to 3°C Amidst Cold Wave
13 Jan
Summary
- Delhi's average temperature dropped to 4 degrees Celsius.
- Minimum temperatures reached as low as 3 degrees Celsius.
- The city experienced dense fog and very poor air quality.
Delhi is experiencing an extreme cold wave, with Tuesday's average temperature recorded at 4 degrees Celsius. Several areas, including Safdarjung and Lodhi Road, saw minimum temperatures dip as low as 3 degrees Celsius, while Palam recorded its lowest in years at 3.0 degrees Celsius. This severe cold is accompanied by dense fog, significantly reducing visibility across the national capital.
The cold wave is compounded by poor air quality, with Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 337 in the 'very poor' category as of Tuesday morning. Multiple locations reported AQI levels exceeding 300, highlighting a significant pollution concern for residents.
This unusual pattern is attributed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to clear skies and persistent cold northwesterly winds over the plains, leading to rapid radiative cooling. In contrast, cloud cover over the hills due to a western disturbance kept their minimum temperatures higher.
