Delhi: The national capital has been experiencing frigid mornings and nights since New Year’s Eve, causing discomfort for residents both at home and in workplaces.
On Wednesday, the Capital witnessed its coldest day of the season, with a peak temperature of 15.6°C. Icy winds and heavy fog in higher altitudes contributed to the city’s wintry conditions. While this maximum temperature was 4°C lower than the average, it fell just short of the 4.5 degrees needed to qualify as a “cold day.”
Analysis of ambient temperatures taken every three hours since December 31 reveals that the city is colder than the peak temperatures suggest. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded low double-digit temperatures (10-11°C) for most of the day between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, except for a brief period between 2.30 pm and 5.30 pm when the sun briefly broke through the fog.
According to Mahesh Palawat, vice president of Skymet, the persistent shallow fog or haze in the upper layer has blocked sunlight, creating cold day-like conditions. The lack of sunlight causes temperatures to drop quickly after 4 pm, despite the peak temperature recorded earlier.
Cold day conditions, a strict classification, occur when the maximum temperature departs by 4.5 to 6.4 degrees from the normal. The constant presence of fog throughout the day, limiting sunlight, contributes to these conditions.
Weather stations across Delhi, including Safdarjung, Lodhi Road, Ridge, CDO Ghaziabad, Noida, and SPS Mayur Vihar, recorded cold day conditions, with temperatures remaining below 10°C at all stations.
The classification of weather conditions has implications for public health safety messaging. While no alert was issued for Wednesday, a yellow alert was issued for Monday and Tuesday, predicting potential cold day conditions.
Prolonged exposure to such cold conditions can be physically stressful, with health experts warning of potential difficulties in blood flow, breathing, and an increased risk for individuals with heart ailments.
The Indian Meteorological Department forecasts a gradual increase in temperature over the next few days, with continued upper-level fog and moderate surface-level fog expected on Thursday.
Despite the cold conditions, Delhi’s air quality remains in the “very poor” category. The Early Warning System predicts that the air quality will likely remain “very poor” until January 6.
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