Base station Safdarjung recorded minimum temperature of 15°C today morning, about 4°C above the normal. Few other locations went past even this figure and Najafgarh scaled 17.7°C, the highest in the region. Some other observatories like Ayanagar and Ridge remained below this mark at 14.6°C and 13.8°C respectively. The meteorological office at Lodhi Road was shade lower at 14.8°C and Palam airport observatory touched 15.7°C.
This is only the 2nd time in this winter season (Dec-Feb), that the national capital witnessed such high temperature. Earlier, on 08thJan, the base observatory had recorded mercury level of 15.2°C. From 05thNov 2021 onward, the minimum temperatures stayed below 15°C for the entire season and mostly remaining in single digit during December and January. The temperature is expected to drop gradually and reach normal by the weekend.
An active western disturbance has lashed northern mountains with heavy rain and snow. This activity will continue for another 24hr and reduce thereafter. Under the influence of this western disturbance, wind pattern changed to warm and moist easterly, over plains of North India, including Delhi. Feeble cyclonic circulation is likely to come up over North Rajasthan and Haryana on 25thFeb and persist for the subsequent 24hr.
Combined influence of these 2 systems will have a twist again in the weather conditions during this week. Marginal drop in the minimum temperature is expected in the next 24hr, but continue to stay above the normal. Partial cloud cover on 25thFeb to start with and later some rain and showers are expected during the night.
The wet spell may continue on 26thFeb and find clearance later in the day. Reversal in the wind patter to northwesterly will resume from 27thFeb onward. Accordingly, the minimum temperature will drop again to about 10-11°C by this weekend. Pleasantly warm days with fair amount of sunshine is expected during the fag end of the month.
