Delhi recorded this season’s lowest minimum temperature today morning. Day maximum temperatures did not vary much and stayed in low 30’s, around the normal mark. No trace of any precipitation so far. Under the influence of light winds, stable layers with low temperatures and high humidity in the morning hours, Delhi continue to battle with highly toxic air, with no immediate signs of any let up.
Month of November starts with a low of around 15-16°C and drops to nearly 10°C during fag end of the month. Minimum temperatures were about 1-2°C above the normal in the opening days of November. However, the minimum plunged to 13.5°C this morning. This is about 2°C below the normal. Also, this is season’s lowest and first time under 14°C. Earlier, the temperature had dipped to 14.3°C, as recorded at the Safdarjung observatory, on 28 Oct 2023. Thereafter, mercury stayed above 15°C, till yesterday, before taking a dip and adding slight nip in the air.
Weather conditions have remained absolutely dry for the last about 20days. As such, November is the least rainiest of all, with a normal rainfall of mere 4.1mm. Many a times, the month goes without seeing rain drops. Last three years, no rainfall has been recorded and even 2011 & 2014 remained absolutely dry. However, the minimum temperatures have been plunging much below the normal and frequently dipping to single digit, albeit during the 2nd half of the month. Last year, the minimum temperature persistently remained in single digit and the lowest minimum of 7.3°C was recorded on 29thNov 2022. Year prior, that is Nov 2021, was not as cold and the lowest minimum touched 9.2°C. Yet, the minimum slide to less than 10°C on more than one occasion during the 2nd half of the month.
Western disturbance is likely to arrive on 08thNov and stay around till 10thNov. First and the last day, weather activity will remain confined to the hills only. Mid and higher reaches can expect some rains and snow, whereas the lower hills will experience light to moderate showers. In between, on 09thNov, light rainfall is expected over parts of Punjab, Haryana and North Rajasthan. Delhi falls on the outer peripherals of this weather system but still stand a chance to have some fleeting light showers.
With partly cloudy sky and change in the wind pattern, no further drop in the temperature is likely over the next 3-4 days. Rather, the minimum temperatures may rise to about 16-17°C on 09th and 10thNov. After the passage of the system, the mercury levels will plunge to 13-14°C between 12th and 14thNovember. Slight chill in the air is likely on Diwali, more so in the early morning and late night hours.
