Delhi kicks off February with warmer days ahead, but air quality stays poor
Delhi kicks off February with warmer days ahead, but air quality stays poor
February begins with above-normal daytime temperatures in Delhi, even as air quality remains poor and forecasts suggest a continued warm trend for the month.
Delhi began February with a frosty edge, recording a maximum around 24.6°C on Sunday and a minimum near 12.1°C, marking a colder start than last year when the city saw 26.2°C. Among the city’s key observatories, Safdarjung logged the day’s high at 24.6°C, while Palam reported a high in the low 20s and other stations showed similar readings. The morning hours were often veiled in a light fog in parts of the city and its outskirts.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures for February, suggesting fewer cold nights and warmer afternoons as winter recedes earlier than usual. The forecast also indicates that rainfall over northwest India, including Delhi and surrounding regions, is likely to stay below the Long Period Average for the month.
Despite the milder days, air quality in the city is expected to remain a concern, with winter pollution typically persisting as humidity fluctuates and traffic and weather conditions interact. Residents are advised to monitor air quality, keep windows closed on hazy days, and plan outdoor activities with air quality forecasts in mind.
As February unfolds, officials say the mix of warmer afternoons and persistently poor air quality could shape daily routines, from school timings to outdoor work schedules, urging vigilance for vulnerable groups during high-pollution periods.
