After witnessing steep rise in minimum temperatures, mercury dropped over Delhi-NCR once again by several notches. On Tuesday morning, the national capital recorded minimum temperature of 9.7°C, which is also the lowest temperature of the season so far.
With this, not only wintry chill will make a comeback but pollution levels will also increase again.
On November 24, minimum temperature over Delhi was 10.5°C which had risen to 16.5°C on November 26. According to Skymet Weather, this sudden rise was due to the Western Disturbance that had kept minimum temperatures above normal between November 25-28.
Now, the Western Disturbance has cleared away the region leading to significant drop across the northwestern plains. However, with another Western Disturbance approaching, night temperatures will once again increase during the next 48 hours but the rise will be a marginally one.
Moreover, with the prevailing weather system in Bay of Bengal, wind pattern across northern plains are likely to change to easterly. This will further increase the humidity over the region including Delhi.
Since the last few days, moderate winds to the tune of 20-30 kmph were blowing across Delhi-NCR. Due to these dry and cold northwesterly winds, pollution levels had also decreased significantly.
However, with the change in wind direction, increase in moisture levels and massive drop in wind speed will lead to formation of shallow fog or mist over northern plains but Delhi may once again come under the grip of smog.
Air pollution levels are likely to increase manifold and air quality index which is already in ‘unhealthy’ category may come in ‘severe’ category again.
Image credit: www.nytimes.com
Any information taken from here should be credited to skymetweather.com