Even though the minimum temperature of 9.4 degree Celsius was three degrees above normal, Delhi recorded its lowest maximum temperature 12.5 degree Celsius along with chilly winds in two years on Thursday, making it a “severe cold day”.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said a thick fog covering the city at the upper levels of the atmosphere was expected to persist throughout the day, block sunlight, and result in “cold day” to “severe cold day” conditions on Friday.
Because of the chilly winds from the Himalayas and the fog that had been growing for almost a week, it was predicted that the cold would persist until Saturday.
Although the air quality remained in the “very poor” category, it improved slightly from Thursday to Friday. The highest temperature on Friday was predicted to be around 13 degree Celsius, and on Saturday it was predicted to be around 14 degree Celsius.
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At 10 a.m. on Friday, the average air quality index (AQI) was 349, which is considered very poor. It was 377 (extremely poor) on Thursday at 4 p.m.
Until Sunday, the air quality probably going to stay “very poor”. For the next six days, it is predicted to be either “very poor” or “poor”. The high on Thursday was seven degrees below average. When the maximum falls more than 6.5 degrees below average and the lowest falls below 10 degree Celsius, it is considered a “severe cold day”.
The last time Delhi had a lower temperature was on January 25, 2002, when it dropped to 12.1 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature was predicted by the IMD for Wednesday to be 17 degree Celsius with “mainly clear skies” and cold day conditions in isolated places.
The organization updated its prediction to “cold” to “severe cold” daytime temperatures and released an orange advisory advising the public to exercise caution through Saturday.
