Delhi cold wave teeth-chilling at 3.6°C on Republic Day

Delhi woke up to a frosty Republic Day, with the mercury dipping to 3.6°C in parts of the city. In Ayanagar, the temperature settled at 3.6°C, while Safdarjung recorded 4.2°C, Palam 4.3°C, Lodi Road 4.7°C, and the Ridge 5.3°C, marking a chilly start to the national holiday. Isolated cold wave conditions persisted as sustained northwesterly winds kept temperatures well below normal, prompting authorities to issue a yellow alert for Tuesday for light rain and gusty winds of up to 40 km/h.

A fresh western disturbance is expected to raise the mercury slightly and bring light showers on Tuesday, offering a brief respite from the deep chill. Despite the cold, the air quality worsened to the 'poor' category, with an AQI of 209 recorded at 8am on Monday, compared to 153 on Sunday. Delhi’s air quality had been in the moderate range for a rare two-day stretch in January before deteriorating.

The Air Quality Early Warning System noted that the AQI is likely to slip back into the moderate range by Wednesday, even as the city steadies in the current chill. The combination of clear skies and icy winds also contributed to the low temperatures, with forecasts suggesting a shift in wind direction to warmer easterly winds as a western disturbance approaches. Meteorologists expect overcast skies to push the minimum temperature up slightly while keeping daytime highs in check.

Republic Day observations carried a note of brisk winds and chilly air, a reminder of the ongoing cold spell. As residents bundle up and schools and offices adjust timings, officials advised taking precautions against the cold and monitoring updates for any changes in the weather pattern. If the current trend holds, Delhi could see a gradual warm-up later in the week, pending the next system’s movement.

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