Delhi Fog: Moisture, Cooler Temps Create March-Like Morning

The early morning in Delhi on Saturday was marked by mist, a phenomenon attributed to a confluence of meteorological factors over the preceding 48 hours. Experts noted that light rainfall on Friday had boosted atmospheric moisture. Coupled with a slight decrease in temperature and clear skies overnight, these conditions facilitated condensation, leading to the formation of shallow fog. This weather pattern, typically observed in March or April, saw Delhi record a minimum temperature of 20.7°C, slightly above normal but conducive to fog formation.

Despite the foggy start, the day evolved into a mild and pleasant afternoon, with the maximum temperature settling at 32°C, approximately two degrees below the usual early April figure. Rainfall was minimal, with the city's base weather station recording only 0.5mm in the 24 hours preceding Saturday morning. However, localized variations were noted, with some areas receiving more precipitation. Looking ahead, Delhi is expected to experience relatively mild conditions over the next few days, with intermittent cloud cover and a possibility of light rain or thundershowers on Sunday evening. A fresh western disturbance is anticipated around April 7 and 8, potentially bringing more rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds to Delhi-NCR by Monday night.

Concurrently, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) experienced a substantial improvement on Saturday. The AQI dropped from 266, categorized as 'poor', to 137, rated 'moderate'. This enhancement in air quality was directly linked by experts to the prevailing meteorological conditions, including the recent rainfall and altered temperature and humidity levels. Forecasts suggest that temperatures are likely to remain near or below normal for most of the coming week, delaying the onset of intense early summer heat.