Delhi Winters have always been the talk of the town! However what makes it different this time is the unprecedented cold spell characterised by intense cold wave and cold day conditions, record-breaking temperatures and widespread fog, which looks in no mood to relent anytime soon.
December, usually, is not a peak winter month for Delhi. On the contrary, winter in comparison to the last few years made an early arrival this time. And since the beginning of the season, temperatures have been hitting new records every day.
Let’s check out all the factors that have contributed to the unusual Delhi Winter.
Delhi recorded the highest number of cold days since 1997
So far, Delhi has recorded 11 number of cold days, which has been the highest since 1997. As reiterated, cold day conditions are declared when day temperatures in plains settle below 16 degrees Celsius. The unprecedented winter chill has been wreaking havoc across Delhi and NCR, with mercury refusing to ease out. Maximums for a long time now have been settling between 12 and 15 degrees Celcius.
Severe cold wave gripped Delhi as minimum dropped to 2.4 degrees
Delhi rarely sees temperatures slipping to less than 3 degrees during the month of December. Breaking all the previous records, Safdarjung Observatory reported a minimum temperature of 2.4 degrees Celsius on December 28. This has been the lowest of the season so far and also the lowest temperature recorded during December since 2013. In fact, stations like Aya Nagar and Lodhi Road were even much lower at 1.9 degrees Celsius and 1.7 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Cold day and cold wave condition at the same time
Cold day and cold wave conditions rarely go hand in hand. It is either of the two conditions that appear in the region at one time (mostly). This time, however, Delhi has been reeling under both, cold day and cold wave at the same time. The intense winter chill has been making both days and nights extremely cold, a nightmare for the residents.
Widespread fog has engulfed the National Capital
The residents of Delhi woke up to a densely foggy morning with the visibility dropping to 0 meters in a large part of the region. In fact, the Palam Observatory has been recording nil visibility since 3 am and until sometime back the entire region could be seen covered by a thick blanket.
Palam observatory recorded the lowest minimum of the season today
After Safdarjung (2.4℃), now the Palam Observatory has recorded the lowest minimum of the season at 2.9 degrees Celcius today morning. In fact, this has been the lowest temperature recorded in Palam since 2007. By setting new records every day, the temperatures are indicating towards more harsh winters during the coming time.
Forecast
Although meteorologists are predicting some relief from freezing temperatures in next few days (owing to a change in the wind direction from cold north-westerlies to comparatively warmer easterlies), the speed of winds is expected to increase, which in turn would add up to the chill factor. Thus, complete relief is not in sight anytime soon.
The weather models are also indicating chances of rain coupled with hailstorms on January 1 and 2 in the wake of a fresh Western Disturbance over the Himalayas. By the time this system makes an exit, another system in quick succession is likely to take a form, expected to bring more rain for the region. Hence, it is going to be rainy and at the same time chilly New Year week for Delhi and NCR.
Image Credits – The Indian Express
Any information taken from here should be credited to Skymet Weather
