The second half of February is considered as a transition from thick wintry conditions for Delhi, gradually turning mild by the month-end. February, the last winter month is also the rainiest with a normal 22.1mm rainfall for Delhi. Both, maximum and minimum temperatures observe a rise of about 3°C as compared to the peak winter month of January. Mean monthly normal rise to 23.9°C during the day and observe low of 10.4°C during the night for Delhi. As a routine, the minimum temperature is expected to remain double-digit from the 2nd week onward and invariably remains in the low teens in the last week of the month.
As against the average of 9.5°C during the 1st fortnight, a mean temperature of 8.3°C has been observed between 01st and 14th February for Delhi. Out of 14 days, the minimum temperature remained double-digit on 3 days. Incidentally, these were the rainy days observed so far, on 02nd, 03rd and 09th February. Rainfall of 18.6mm has been recorded so far, at the base observatory of Safdarjung. Also, the lowest minimum of 5.4°C has been registered on 06th February for Delhi.
The national capital is expected to remain dry till the weekend. There could be partial cloud cover on 19th February and the chances of rain rolling over to the next week between 20th and 22nd February. During this week, ending 20th February, the minimum temperature is likely to remain in single digit, mostly swinging around 8°C. The mean monthly minimum may continue to stay below the average and may not lift beyond 8.5°C for the 1st three weeks of the month for Delhi. Passage of a series of western disturbances across the northern mountains and the resultant snow may keep the chill live in the plains, including Delhi.
Last year, the month of February recorded 14 days of double-digit minimum, with the highest of 17.8°C towards the end of the month for Delhi. Factually, the minimum temperature remained double-digit continuously between 20th and 28th February. With a lower minimum during the 3rd week and possibly a few more days even in the last week, the month of February is expected to end colder than normal for Delhi. However, the day temperatures may not follow the suit and may observe higher mercury levels, particularly during the ongoing week, till 20th February for Delhi.