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Delhi Sees Record Cold, Cleanest Air in 5 Months
20 Mar
Summary
- Delhi experienced its coldest March day in six years on Friday.
- Maximum temperature recorded was 21.7 degrees Celsius, 9.6 degrees below normal.
- Air Quality Index fell to 93, marking 'satisfactory' air for the first time in 161 days.
New Delhi experienced its coldest March day in six years on Friday, as the maximum temperature at Safdarjung settled at a chilly 21.7 degrees Celsius. This reading was 9.6 degrees Celsius below the normal average for this time of year. The city also recorded its cleanest air in nearly five months, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to 93, falling into the 'satisfactory' category.
This improvement in air quality is a direct result of recent rainfall and gusty winds. The AQI's 'satisfactory' status is the first observed in 161 days, a welcome change from previous conditions. Several areas across the city registered maximum temperatures well below normal, with Palam at 21.2 degrees Celsius and Lodhi Road at 21.0 degrees Celsius also significantly cooler than average.
Additionally, the month of March has been wetter than usual, with the average rainfall reaching 16.2 mm to date, making it the wettest March in three years. However, air quality is predicted to return to the 'moderate' category from Saturday until March 23. Forecasters anticipate a partly cloudy sky on Saturday with temperatures expected between 14 and 27 degrees Celsius, signaling an end to the recent rainy spell.
