Night temperatures have been dropping consistently over Delhi/NCR for the last four consecutive days. From a fairly high minimum of 16.2°C on 18th Nov, the morning temperatures plunged sharply. The base station at Safdarjung recorded a low of 10.2°C, today morning, about 2°C below the normal. The meteorological office at Lodhi Road dipped further to record a low of 9.2°C. The lowest of 8.1°C in the region was measured at Ridge, over 5°C below the normal. There is the likelihood of a marginal drop and mercury may lower to under 10°C, tomorrow. Any further fall will get arrested and the temperatures may rise, incrementally.
The second half of November 2024 is getting aligned with the last year's profile. The lowest minimum in Nov 2023 was 9.3°C, recorded on 23rd Nov. The lowest temperature of 6.3°C, in the last two decades was registered on 23rd Nov 2020. Otherwise, Nov 2022 is adjudged as the coldest in the last one decade or so. Though, the lowest minimum in that month was measured at 7.3°C on 29th Nov, but the longest stretch of under 10°C was recorded for 13 consecutive days, between 18th and 30th Nov 2022. Four of these days plummeted to under 8°C, during this period.
The Month of November, as such, starts with a low of 15°-16°C and finishes with a minimum of around 10°C. The minimum temperature during November this year, is also likely to get arrested between 9°C and 10°C. It means, there is no sharp decline in the mercury levels expected now. An excruciating cold is not at all likely during the remaining days of the month.
There is a weak westerly system, as an upper air trough, likely to pass across the higher reaches of northern mountains, between 22nd and 24th Nov. As it usually happens, with the approach of the trough, the minimum temperature may rise by 1°-2°C and drop by a similar margin, after the passage. Cloud-free sky, light to moderate breeze and absence of rainfall may lead to a seasonal progressive drop in night temperature. The month may close with the lowest temperature between 9°-10°C, at fag end.
