Delhi kicked off December on an unusually cold note as icy north-westerly winds swept across the region, driving temperatures sharply downward. On December 1, the national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 5.7°C, the lowest for the first week of December since 2011.
A Rare Early Chill
According to historical data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), early December temperatures in Delhi typically range between 7°C and 11°C. Only a handful of years — such as 2012 (6.5°C) and 2017 (7.4°C) — recorded lower-than-usual temperatures. In recent years, Delhi rarely dipped below 8°C in the first week of December, making this year’s reading a significant deviation from the norm.
IMD expects the chill to persist, with the possibility of cold wave conditions emerging in parts of the city. This year’s decline stands out because Delhi generally dips below 5°C only after December 10.
For comparison:
- In 2024, the minimum fell to 4.9°C on December 11
- In 2023, the city recorded below-5°C temperatures on December 15
- In 2022, the temperature never slipped below 5°C, though it touched exactly 5°C on December 25
Delhi’s all-time record for the lowest December temperature remains an astonishing 0°C, logged on December 27, 1930.
Winter Forecast: Longer, Stronger Cold Spells Ahead
IMD’s seasonal outlook points to normal to below-normal minimum temperatures across most of central India, northwest India, and parts of the northern peninsular region.
The broader winter forecast (December 2025 to February 2026) shows:
- Central India: Normal to below-normal temperatures
- Southern states & Northeast: Above-normal minimum temperatures
- Border regions of Rajasthan: Likely to be warmer than average
Delhi is already nearing cold wave criteria, which require the minimum temperature to fall below 10°C and register at least 4.5°C below normal at two or more stations. The capital last experienced a December cold wave in 2021, when four such days were recorded.
IMD’s anomaly projections also indicate:
- 2–5 additional cold wave days likely in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar
- Fewer cold wave days expected in Rajasthan, Punjab, and the Northeast
This suggests a stronger, more persistent winter across central India, while some northwestern and northeastern regions may see comparatively milder cold spells.