Cold Wave Ease Out From Delhi: No Sharp Drop Of Mercury Likely
Key Takeaways
- Extreme cold has eased in Delhi with minimum temperature rising by over 2°C in 24 hours.
- No major temperature drop is expected in the next three days.
- A western disturbance will affect North India from 22 Jan.
- Cloudy, rainy and warmer nights are likely after 22 Jan.
Extreme cold conditions have waned from the national capital and neighbourhood. There has been a marginal rise in minimum temperature over the last four days, and the mercury has risen by over 2°C in the last 24 hours. Base station Safdarjung has recorded a minimum of 7.7°C, the highest so far this month, with the exception of the opening day, when the minimum was 10.6°C on 01 Jan 2026. The temperature has mostly remained in single digits and that too under 7°C in the last 10 days. The lowest minimum temperature so far was 2.9°C, recorded on 15 Jan 2026. It is unlikely to drop to such low single digits in the remaining days of the month.
The temperatures around this time are mostly governed by winds and clouds. There is very little clouding expected over the next three days and the wind pattern will also be erratic during this period. No sharp drop in the mercury is expected over the next three days. At best, a marginal drop may occur tomorrow morning and recover quickly thereafter.
There is a weak westerly system as an upper air trough over the northern mountains now. The mild weather activity will remain confined to the higher reaches for the next three days. An active western disturbance is likely to arrive over the Western Himalayas on 22 Jan 2026. This will have an induced cyclonic circulation in the subsequent 24 hours over the plains. The duo together will bring a twist in the weather conditions over the mountains and plains of North India simultaneously. Delhi is on the outer peripherals, yet will remain susceptible to clouds and rains commencing 22 Jan and extending beyond Republic Day. The winds will change to easterly, rather moist and warm. This long spell will arrest any sharp drop in temperatures over Delhi. The minimum temperature could rise to double digits anytime after 22 Jan 2026. Yes, the days are likely to become colder. The threat of rains, albeit patchy and brief, will hang around between 22 and 28 Jan 2026 over Delhi/NCR.
