As the winter season begins to make its presence felt, Delhiites woke up to a crisp chill in the air on Saturday, with the minimum temperature dropping to 11 degrees Celsius — the coldest night of the season so far, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
IMD data showed that Saturday’s minimum temperature was 3.3 degrees below the season’s normal, marking a significant dip. The maximum temperature settled at 27.2 degrees Celsius, about 2.3 notches below normal, reflecting the gradual transition into winter.
This marks the first time this season that the minimum temperature in the capital has fallen below the 15-degree mark, which occurred earlier on Thursday.
Comparing to previous years, the lowest temperature in 2024 was 9.5°C, while 2023 recorded 9.2°C, and 2022 saw a minimum of 7.3°C, IMD data revealed.
🌬️ Cold Winds and Clear Skies Behind the Dip
Meteorological officials attributed the drop in temperature to cold northwesterly winds blowing into Delhi after fresh snowfall in the western Himalayas. The presence of clear skies at night further intensified radiational cooling, leading to a sharper decline in nighttime temperatures.
🌫️ Forecast for Sunday
According to the Met department’s forecast, shallow fog is expected to envelop parts of Delhi on Sunday morning. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 28°C, while the minimum could remain steady at 11°C, maintaining the winter chill.
With the mercury dipping and morning fog returning, Delhi residents can expect the familiar touch of winter to gradually set in over the coming days.