But the end of this week has brought some relief for the people and joy for the homeless as temperatures have risen considerably. The weather in Delhi on Jan 10th was recorded at 5.8⁰C in the morning whereas the maximum went up to 21⁰C. This is an increase of 2 to 3⁰C from the previous figures recorded in the first few days of January. The weather of Delhi in January 2013 for the last ten days has been below 5⁰C. (Jan1st - 4⁰C, Jan2nd- 4.8⁰C, Jan3rd- 5.5⁰C, Jan4th- 2.7⁰C, Jan5th- 3.6⁰C, Jan6th-1.9⁰C, Jan7th-2.4⁰C, Jan8th-3.3⁰C and Jan9th-4.4⁰C).
The changes in the weather of Delhi in the winter months from November to January is affected by the ‘Western Disturbance’ that travels in the lower latitudes and causes snow/rain in the hills of J&K and raises the temperatures of north, northwest and east India as it approaches. This is what's happening now. The temperatures in Delhi have risen and are close to normal and the sheet of thick and dense fog that had led to a massive delay of rail, road and air traffic in the last ten days has disappeared completely. Forecasters at Skymet say this change in the weather of Delhi will continue till Jan 14th. Thus Delhiites will enjoy a pleasant Lohri weather in Delhi with light winds and cool temperatures. “Although the biting cold has parted but the weather in Delhi after Jan 14th could drop once again. This drop will not be very high as maximums are expected to fall only by 2⁰C. The minimums will be normal”, says Mahesh Palawat, Head of the forecasting team at Skymet Weather.
After a pleasant Lohri, Skymet forecasts that the weather in Delhi on Jan 17th, 18th and 19th will see a drop as the easterly winds will set in and the clouding in the skies will persist. There are also slight chances of light rain on Jan 16th.
Photo by Shivali Chopra.