Delhi Weather Update: Yellow Alert Issued for Cold Thursday Morning
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for cold conditions in Delhi, warning residents of a chilly Thursday morning. The capital city is expected to experience a partly cloudy sky accompanied by moderate fog, creating challenging visibility conditions for commuters.
Temperature Plunge Expected
According to the latest IMD bulletin, Delhi's maximum and minimum temperatures on Thursday are likely to range between 17-19 degrees Celsius and 6-8 degrees Celsius respectively. This represents a significant drop from normal seasonal temperatures.
The weather agency specifically noted: "Maximum temperatures are likely to be markedly below normal (-5.1°C to less) during the next 24 hours and appreciably below normal (-3.1°C to -5.0°C) thereafter." This pattern of below-normal temperatures is expected to persist for the next three days across the national capital region.
Weekend Weather Forecast: Rain and Thunderstorms Ahead
Looking ahead to the weekend, Delhi may experience light rain accompanied by gusty winds. The IMD bulletin predicts generally cloudy skies for Delhi on February 1, with rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds ranging between 30 and 40 kilometers per hour.
Post-February 1, the weather is expected to improve gradually, with temperatures rising to a minimum of 13 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 19 degrees Celsius. This warming trend will provide some relief from the current cold spell.
Air Quality Shows Slight Improvement
In related environmental news, Delhi-NCR witnessed a slight improvement in air quality on Thursday morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's Sameer app, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was reported at 263, placing it in the poor category.
This welcome change follows moderate rainfall across the city in previous days, which helped settle particulate matter and improve overall air quality temporarily.
Regional Weather Patterns: Western Disturbance Impact
The Met Department has warned of a fresh Western Disturbance affecting the Himalayan region from Saturday, January 31, through Sunday, February 1. This weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall and snowfall in the upper reaches on February 1.
The IMD advisory stated: "A fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from 31st January to 02nd February, with the possibility of heavy rainfall/snowfall on 01st February."
The weather agency also predicted moderate rainfall over Northwest India and adjoining parts of central India during this period. "Light to moderate rainfall is also likely over the plains of northwest India and adjoining central India from 31st January to 02nd February," the advisory read.
Cold Wave Conditions Across Northern States
In its latest release, the IMD has forecast cold wave conditions and dense fog at isolated places over several northern states including:
- Himachal Pradesh
- Punjab
- Haryana
The agency also predicted dense fog at isolated places over:
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Chandigarh
- Uttar Pradesh
- Rajasthan
Additionally, the IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated places over Uttarakhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, indicating widespread weather activity across northern India.
Residents of Delhi and surrounding regions are advised to take necessary precautions against the cold weather, stay updated with the latest forecasts, and prepare for potential rainfall and gusty winds over the coming weekend.
