Delhi's morning temperature has dipped to the lowest of this season, so far. The record observatory at Safdarjung measured a minimum temperature of 10.6°C, about 1°C below the normal. There have been no large fluctuations noticed in the last 10 days or so and the mercury remains close to its lowest double-digit, hovering between 11°C and 12°C. It is expected to follow the same track, possibly through the leftover days of November. It may not clock single digit minimum, as it has done on many earlier occasions in November.
Delhi drops below 10°C on many occasions in the month of November. Though, the five-day normal ( pentad) for Delhi suggests a minimum temperature of about 15°C at the start and about 10°C at the close of the month. However, these standards are frequently breached and single-digit minimum temperatures have been on record for as much as 13 days in a row. This was witnessed last year when the mercury persistently plunged below 10°C, between 18 Nov- 30 Nov 2022, with the lowest of 7.3°C on 29th Nov. This also happens to be the 2nd lowest since 2011, the lowest being 6.3°C, on 23rd Nov 2020.
The minimum temperature in Delhi is governed by the wind pattern and its strength. Also, the passage of western disturbances, both in the plains and mountains, controls the mercury grade. The approach of a western disturbance signifies the rise of mercury and the cool clearance in the wake dips the temperatures. Any strong northwesterly winds, more so, after the movement of a western disturbance add nip in the air, leading to single-digit minimums.
A feeble western disturbance is reaching the mountains tomorrow but only for a short stay of 24 hours, without affecting the plains of north India, including Delhi. Accordingly, a marginal rise in the minimum seems to be on the cards for Delhi for the next 2 days. However, the wind stream is unlikely to reverse direction after the passage, so, not much drop is likely in the following days. Looks like, Delhi may not plunge to single-digit minima during November 2023. Hazy mornings, obscured sunshine, cool morning and night breeze, the cloudy sky around the weekend, and cosy afternoon may remain the hallmark during the remaining days of November.