Delhi experienced a notable drop in temperatures on Saturday, signalling the arrival of winter as the city adjusts to the changing seasons. All weather stations in the national capital, with the exception of one, recorded minimum temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius.
The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s primary weather station, noted a minimum temperature of 18.6 degrees Celsius, marking the season’s first reading below 20 degrees. This temperature is 2.4 degrees lower than the normal for this time of year, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Other areas reported varying temperatures, with The Ridge recording the lowest at 16 degrees Celsius, which is a substantial 6.1 degrees below normal. Lodi Road registered 18.4 degrees Celsius, while Ayanagar’s minimum temperature stood at 18.5 degrees, both indicating dips of 1.6 and 2.4 degrees below normal levels, respectively. Palam reported a slightly higher minimum of 20.7 degrees Celsius, still 0.8 degrees below average.
The drop in temperatures across these weather stations indicates a transition to cooler nights, effectively ushering Delhi into the next phase of the year. This change is typically accompanied by a shift in lifestyle and activities for the residents as winter clothing and heating preparations become necessary.
In addition to the temperature changes, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at around 160, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. However, this figure is expected to worsen as winter progresses, highlighting the need for continued vigilance regarding air pollution.
According to the IMD, this winter season is predicted to be severe, largely due to the onset of the La Niña phenomenon. Under normal circumstances, trade winds push warm water from South America towards Asia, which helps maintain a climatic equilibrium. However, the arrival of La Niña disrupts this balance, leading to extreme weather conditions that can impact temperatures and precipitation patterns.
As Delhi braces for winter, the combination of cooler temperatures and potential air quality issues poses challenges that residents will need to navigate in the coming months.