Delhi Temperature Drops, Further Dip Likely, No Rainfall

Key Takeaways

• Delhi’s minimum temperature has dropped sharply over the last five days, touching 6.6°C.
• Night temperatures may dip below 6°C this week, though cold wave criteria may not be met.
• Weather activity linked to western disturbances is weakening across North India.
• No rainfall is expected over Delhi/NCR for at least the next week.

Night temperatures have consistently dropped over Delhi for the last five days. Base station Safdarjung recorded a minimum of 10.6°C on 01 January, which has now dipped to 6.6°C this morning. Mercury is likely to fall further and may drop below 6°C during this week. Weather conditions are expected to turn better today, in terms of sunshine and improvement in vertical visibility, to facilitate smooth air operations.

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January is the coldest month for Delhi, and the lowest minimum temperature of the season is recorded during this period. Invariably, the lowest temperature dips below 5°C, and this can happen anytime during the month, with a slight bias towards the first half. The lowest temperature in the last 16 years was 1.1°C, recorded on 01 January 2021. The highest minimum temperature during this period was 5.6°C, registered on 06 January 2010.

An active western disturbance had earlier caused snowfall in the hills around the New Year, and somewhat weaker systems have continued the activity thereafter. Today, light snowfall is expected to continue in the higher reaches of Jammu & Kashmir, while most other parts are likely to improve. Weather activity will cease from tomorrow onwards and may remain subdued for the next five days. This will have a cascading effect over the plains of North India, including Delhi. Night temperatures will dip further and fall below 5°C at many places across the plains. Delhi may also see night temperatures plunging to around 5°–6°C. However, it may not qualify for cold wave conditions, as the minimum is unlikely to touch 4°C during this period. No winter showers are expected over Delhi/NCR for the next one week or so.