The Delhi-NCR region is in the grip of a sharp cold wave, with minimum temperatures dropping significantly over the past 24 hours. According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) bulletin released on 1 December, minimum temperatures in the region have fallen by about 2°C, settling between 6°C and 8°C.
The IMD noted that temperatures were “appreciably below normal” at many locations and “markedly below normal” at a few stations—conditions that meet the official criteria for a cold wave. Delhi’s main weather station, Safdarjung, recorded a minimum of 5.7°C, which is 4.6°C below the seasonal average. The Ayanagar and Ridge observatories also reported a -5.5°C deviation from normal.
The weather agency has predicted that minimum temperatures may rise slightly by around 1°C in the next 24 hours, followed by another 2–3°C drop over the next three days, indicating colder nights ahead. Cold wave conditions are expected to continue at isolated places for the next five days.
Fog Warning and Temperature Forecast
The IMD has also cautioned about shallow morning fog from Tuesday onwards, which could affect visibility for road traffic and flights.
Friday, 5 December, is expected to be the coldest day, with minimum temperatures likely to dip as low as 5–7°C. No rainfall has been predicted during the forecast period, with clear to partly cloudy skies expected.
Air Quality Sees Some Relief
After nearly a month of severe pollution levels, Delhi’s air quality showed signs of improvement due to stronger northwesterly winds. On Monday morning, the city recorded an AQI of 300, categorized as ‘poor’, slightly worse than Sunday’s AQI of 279, which ended a 24-day stretch of ‘very poor’ air quality.
7-Day Weather Forecast for Delhi
| Date | Max Temp | Min Temp | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Dec (Mon) | 26.1°C | 5.7°C | Clear sky; mist/haze at night; cold wave likely |
| 2 Dec (Tue) | 25–27°C | 8–10°C | Clear sky; shallow fog in morning |
| 3 Dec (Wed) | 22–24°C | 7–9°C | Clear sky; shallow morning fog |
| 4 Dec (Thu) | 22–24°C | 6–8°C | Clear sky; shallow morning fog |
| 5 Dec (Fri) | 22–24°C | 5–7°C | Partly cloudy; shallow morning fog; cold wave likely |
| 6 Dec (Sat) | 22–24°C | 7–9°C | Partly cloudy; shallow morning fog |
| 7 Dec (Sun) | 23–25°C | 8–10°C | Partly cloudy; shallow morning fog |
