As the Western Disturbance moved away from Jammu and Kashmir, cold northerly winds from the snowy hills reached upto the plains of North India leading to a drop in mercury levels by about 6 to 7 degrees. Here’s how the temperatures looked. On Saturday, the maximum temperature in Delhi dropped significantly to record 16.5⁰C (6 degrees below normal). In Amritsar and Hissar the maximum settled at 18.2⁰C and 18.6⁰C respectively.
While on Sunday, it was the minimums that witnessed a drop. At 3⁰C, the weather in Amritsar turned as cold as it does during peak winter, i.e. in the colder months of January and December. In the capital city, the minimum temperature recorded 7⁰C. (the last coldest day being Sunday, 2nd February, at 6.8⁰C).
Other cities that witnessed a drop in minimums were : Bikaner- 5.5⁰C, Bhatinda– 4.8⁰C, Pathankot– 5.8⁰C, Ambala– 7.8⁰C, Narnaul– 5.7⁰C, Hissar – 5.7⁰ and Agra– 8.5⁰C.
“Further forecast suggest, weather in Delhi and the plains of North India is expected to remain cold during early morning hours and at night. Day will be largely comfortable, thanks to a bright sun. Minimums may show a further drop, however, only marginally, settling between 6⁰C and 8⁰C. Maximums will rise to settle around 22⁰C”, says a meteorologist at Skymet Weather.
This cold weather will be observed in Delhi for another 2 to 3 days, till another Western Disturbance (likely to approach on the 13th of February), affects the city. A fresh WD could bring more rain/snow in Jammu and Kashmir.
Photo by Manvi Gandotra.