Base observatory of Delhi, Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 4°C today to observe 2nd consecutive cold wave day. Yesterday the mercury was a shade lower at 3.8°C in Delhi. Meteorological Office at Lodhi Road was the lowest at 3.6°C today in Delhi area. The observatory has recorded a total of 7 days in January when the temperature plunged to 4°C or less. The lowest of this month at 1.1°C was recorded on 01st January 2021. Prior to this, January 2013 had recorded 06 days with temperature <= 4°C and this record get superseded. A better record of 10 days with minimum <= 4°C in the year 2008 still remains unbeaten.
Normally the cold wave is declared when the low temperatures prevail for at least 2 consecutive days. However, Delhi being a small area, the observation of even single days suffices for the presence of cold wave condition. In the absence of any weather system, dry and cold northwesterly winds from the snow-capped mountains will continue to sweep plains of North India and intrude up to Delhi and beyond. The following 2 days, 30th & 31st January are also likely to observe a minimum temperature of 4°C or less. But even this feat will not beat the earlier record of the year 2008.
