Delhi Welcomes A Warm Day, But The Worst Of This Winter Is Yet To Come

On Friday, the national capital New Delhi woke up to a warm morning, a much-needed reprieve from the biting cold that had gripped that region for more than a week. On Friday morning the minimum temperature was 8.2 degrees Celsius, which is higher than the normal for this time of the year, which is 7 degrees Celsius.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures have increased by 3-4 degree Celsius over most parts of Uttar Pradesh, east Rajasthan and at isolated places over Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, and west Madhya Pradesh. The night (minimum) temperature rose because of a western disturbance approaching Delhi, which will bring clouds, said IMD.

With the skies clearing and the wind seed also picking up, the air quality in the national capitals has also improved. The air quality of the national capital improved from the 'severe' to 'very poor' category on Friday. At 9 in the morning, the overall AQI docked at 393 with PM 10 at 393 and PM 2.5 at 241. According to data provided by Centre run-System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), AQI recorded at IIT Delhi was at 393 ( 'severe' category ), Chandni Chowk 452 ( 'very poor' category) and at Mathura Road at 482 (severe category) at 9 in the morning.

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On Thursday the pollution level of the national capital remained in the 'severe' category with AQI crossing 400. An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301 400 very poor and 401-500 is marked as severe/hazardous. In an advisory, SAFAR has advised people to avoid physical outdoor activities including morning walks. "Stop any physical activity if you feel unusual coughing, chest discomfort, breathing difficulty or fatigue," it said.

Though the temperatures will remain ¡°normal¡± for the next three to four days in and around Delhi, according to the IMD, the worst of the harsh winter is not over yet. According to private weather agency Skymet, ¡°Winters in January can be touted to be harsher than December. It is not the night temperatures but the cold days which would be the main reason for discomfort.¡±

Winter season is governed by the passage and intensity of Western Disturbances travelling across Western Himalayas. This season has seen series of weather systems affecting North India. Frequency of Western Disturbance was such that it has not let the snow melt. Due to this, snowfall keeps on accumulating, which is what is reflecting in the atmosphere over the plains as well. trail of Western Disturbance would continue through January.

This would not allow hilly region to take a breather from the incessant rain and snow. The first spell has begun from January 1, which would continue till January 4. After a brief break on January 5, rain and snow would pick up the pace from January 6 till January 8.

This continuous weather activity on account of back to back weather systems would have an impact over the weather of northwestern plains including Delhi-NCR. With this, winters in January can be touted to be harsher than December. The lowest maximum temperature during January was recorded at 9.8 degrees Celsius on January 2, 2013.

While the lowest minimum that year was recorded at 1.9 degree Celsius on January 6, 2013. Chances are bright that we might see a replica of the same this January also. This is definitely not good news for Delhi, which registered the coldest December in 119 years just a few days ago.