“We have been closely studying several weather models and all of them are indicating towards less warm days and cold winter nights in Delhi and adjoining plains of North India. We are expecting the minimums in Delhi and NCR to drop by 3 to 4 degrees, settling around 7⁰C to 8⁰C. Maximums could also drop to settle around 22⁰C”, says Mahesh Palawat, meteorologist at Skymet Weather.
Both the maximums and the minimums had been settling significantly (2 to 4 degrees) above the normal average in the capital city. Maximums have been recording above 24⁰C since 3rd February, with 4th February being the warmest day of the winter season in Delhi, at 27⁰C. Minimums on the other hand have been settling between 10⁰C to 11⁰C since more than a week now. Though on Saturday, 2nd February, minimums dropped significantly to record 6.8⁰C - the lowest in almost a month- but it was only temporary.
While the rise in the minimums was a result of the Western Disturbance in the hills, maximums rose because of bright sun and clear skies during the day. “We had anticipated the maximums to drop in Delhi and North India due to clouds and light rain but apparently that did not happen, as the skies cleared soon after the rain showers”, said a meteorologist at Skymet Weather.
As the wind pattern changes from humid and warm southwesterly to cold and dry northerly blowing from the Kashmir Valley, the weather in Delhi and adjoining plains of Haryana and Rajasthan will observe cold morning minimums from Sunday onwards. Clouds will disappear and skies will again become clear. However, this time maximums will not shoot up like they have been in the last few days.
Historical records show, it isn’t uncommon for the morning minimums to touch 7⁰C in the month of February. Minimums in Delhi have recorded 7⁰C in years, 2013, 2010 and 2009. The lowest minimum in the month of February in the last ten years has been 4⁰C, in 2012.
Photo by delhiheritagewalks.