Residents of India’s capital, New Delhi, woke up to a chilly and foggy Sunday morning on January 28. The city, often bustling with energy, experienced a tranquil start with the minimum temperature recorded at a cool 6 degrees Celsius, which is three degrees below the seasonal average.
Air Quality Remains a Concern
Despite the cold, the air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 AM was recorded at 324, underscoring the persistent challenge of pollution in the metropolis.
Weather Forecast: Clouds and Light Rain Ahead
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted light fog with partly cloudy skies for the city. From January 31 to February 1, Delhiites can expect general cloudiness with chances of light rain or drizzle. Additionally, moderate fog is likely to envelop the city from January 28 to 30.
IMD Predicts Rain in the Western Himalayan Region
The IMD has also predicted rainfall in the Western Himalayan region until February 3. There is a possibility of heavy rain in various places on January 30-31, indicating a significant change in the weather pattern following two days of sunny skies in the Delhi-NCR region.
Dense Fog in UP and Bihar
IMD forecasts very dense fog in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar over the next two days, continuing the trend of severe cold. Gradual weather improvement is expected thereafter. This weather pattern is set to bring widespread light to moderate and isolated heavy rain or snowfall across Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, and Himachal Pradesh over the next week.
Temperature Details
Currently, the plains of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh are experiencing temperatures 3-6 degrees Celsius below normal. Meanwhile, areas in Haryana, Chandigarh, western Uttar Pradesh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, the Gangetic West Bengal, and northern Chhattisgarh are recording temperatures ranging between 1-3 degrees Celsius below the average.