Noida and Ghaziabad Experience 'Moderate' Air Quality for First Time This Year Amid Cold Winds
On Sunday, the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed a significant improvement in air quality, driven by strong and icy northwesterly winds that swept across the area. These persistent winds played a crucial role in lowering both temperatures and pollution levels, offering a brief respite from the typically poor air conditions during winter.
Air Quality Improvements Across Key Cities
Noida's air quality remained in the 'moderate' category for the second consecutive day, with its Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to 120 from 184 on Saturday. Similarly, Greater Noida saw its AQI improve to 155 from 170. In a notable development, Ghaziabad recorded 'moderate' AQI for the first time this year, shifting to 173 from 203, which was in the 'poor' range the previous day.
This marks a significant milestone as Sunday was the first time Ghaziabad has experienced 'moderate' air in 2026, with its last such reading occurring on October 31, 2025. Noida and Ghaziabad both recorded their first 'moderate' air day on Saturday, having last seen AQI in this category on October 31, 2025, and November 5, 2025, respectively.
Delhi's Cleanest January Day in Four Years
Delhi also benefited from the favorable weather conditions, recording an AQI of 153 in the 'moderate' category on Sunday. This made it the cleanest January day in the capital in four years, with a lower reading last recorded at 151 on January 10, 2022. The improvement highlights the impact of meteorological factors on urban pollution levels.
Detailed AQI Readings from Monitoring Stations
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board portal, all air monitoring stations in Noida reported 'moderate' air quality. Sector 62 recorded the worst AQI at 129, followed by Sector 116 (AQI 125), Sector 1 (AQI 124), and Sector 125 (AQI 104). In Greater Noida, both Knowledge Park V (AQI 172) and Knowledge Park III (AQI 133) also registered 'moderate' levels.
In Ghaziabad, Loni had the highest AQI at 192, with other areas like Sanjay Nagar (AQI 179), Vasundhara (AQI 160), and Indirapuram (AQI 157) all falling within the 'moderate' category. These readings underscore the widespread nature of the air quality improvement across the NCR.
Weather Patterns and Forecasts
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) reported that surface winds on Sunday originated from the northwest direction, with speeds less than 15 kmph during afternoon hours. Wind speeds decreased to 10 kmph in the evening and night, contributing to the dispersion of pollutants.
However, the relief may be short-lived. The air quality is forecast to slip back into the 'poor' category by Monday as winds are expected to slow down. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Tuesday, predicting spells of light rain accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds up to 40 kmph due to an incoming western disturbance.
Temperature Trends and Predictions
Sunday's minimum temperature in Noida was recorded at 6.6 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal, down from 7.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The maximum temperature settled at 18.5 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal, compared to 18.2 degrees Celsius the previous day.
For Monday, the maximum temperature is predicted to hover between 19 and 21 degrees Celsius. It is likely to dip on Tuesday due to cloudy skies and rain, potentially touching around 18-20 degrees Celsius. The city is expected to experience a partly cloudy sky with shallow to moderate fog during morning hours on Monday, with predominant surface winds from the west at speeds less than 12 kmph, decreasing further in the afternoon and evening.
This temporary improvement in air quality serves as a reminder of how weather conditions can influence pollution levels, even as authorities continue to grapple with long-term solutions for cleaner air in the region.
