Delhi Enveloped in Dense Fog, Daytime Temperature Plummets by 7 Degrees Celsius
New Delhi witnessed severe weather conditions on Monday as dense fog blanketed the city, accompanied by a significant seven-degree Celsius drop in daytime temperatures. This combination created a cold-day-like situation, disrupting normal life and transportation across the capital.
Flight Operations Severely Impacted
The dense fog persisted for approximately six hours, leading to substantial disruptions in air travel. Over 300 flights experienced delays at Delhi's airports, though authorities confirmed that no flights were cancelled or diverted during this period. The India Meteorological Department provided specific visibility reports, noting that Safdarjung recorded the lowest visibility of 100 meters during two separate intervals: from 03:30 am to 04:30 am and again from 07:30 am to 08:30 am. Similarly, Palam Airport reported visibility dropping to 100 meters between 2:00 am and 04:30 am, and again from 8:00 am to 08:30 am.
Temperature Records Show Dramatic Shift
Meteorological data reveals the extent of the temperature fluctuation. At the Safdarjung base station, the maximum temperature was recorded at 17.5 degrees Celsius, which is five notches below the normal range for this time of year. This represents a dramatic decrease from the previous day's maximum of 24.6 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature settled at 10.4 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal, compared to 12.1 degrees Celsius recorded a day earlier.
Weather Forecast for Coming Days
The India Meteorological Department has issued forecasts indicating that dense fog is expected to persist at several locations on Tuesday, with conditions likely to moderate to fog on Wednesday. Temperature projections suggest the maximum will hover between 19 and 21 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while minimum temperatures are expected to range from 7 to 9 degrees Celsius. According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology's early warning system, daytime temperatures will remain below normal on Tuesday as well.
Changing Wind Patterns and Air Quality
Meteorologists note that cold north-westerly winds have resumed across the region, contributing to the temperature drop and fog formation. The air quality index presented a mixed picture, with the AQI at 4 pm registering 210 on a scale of 0 to 400. While this represents an improvement from the previous day's reading of 265, both values fall within the poor category. The air quality briefly dipped to moderate levels for a few hours before deteriorating back to poor conditions.
Residents can expect fluctuating weather patterns in the coming days, with a predicted rise in daytime temperatures accompanied by a drop in minimum temperatures. The combination of fog, temperature variations, and changing wind patterns continues to characterize Delhi's winter weather, affecting everything from transportation schedules to daily activities across the capital region.
