Delhi Shivers At Season’s Coldest 4.9°C; Air Quality Remains 'Poor'

Delhi experienced its coldest morning of the season on Wednesday, with the minimum temperature dipping to 4.9 degrees Celsius, 4.7 degrees below the average for this time of year, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The maximum temperature for the day is forecasted to reach approximately 23 degrees Celsius under clear skies, as per the weather bureau.

On Tuesday, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees below the seasonal average. Similarly, on 8 December, Delhi registered a low of 8 degrees Celsius, two degrees below the norm for this period.

The weather department had earlier predicted a significant drop in temperatures from 10 December, with the mercury expected to fall as low as 3 degrees Celsius.

This marked the onset of cold wave conditions in Delhi and neighbouring northern states, including Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, set to persist until December 14.

Air quality remains 'poor'

Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality continued to remain in the 'poor' category on Wednesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Air Quality Index (AQI) categories range as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe).

On Tuesday at 8 am, the AQI in the capital was recorded at 224, as per CPCB data. On Monday, air quality was also categorised as 'poor', with a thin layer of smog blanketing parts of the city and reducing visibility.