Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, slightly warmer than usual for this time of year, at 1.8 degrees above the seasonal average. Dr. Soma Sen Roy, a scientist, India Meteorological Department (IMD), stated that high temperatures have been attributed to a powerful western disturbance along with the prevailing southerly winds.
Delhi minimum temperature is warmer at this time of the year – Experts reveal why
Dr. Roy said, “The minimum temperature today morning was almost 12 degrees Celsius, which was caused by western disturbance as well as southerly wind action.” In the next couple of days, the temperature in north India such as Delhi is expected to rise by 1-2 degrees Celsius. But, a slow decrease is predicted to begin on January 24, as the western disturbance moves out.
Clear to partly cloudy with rain reported for various areas (Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, and north Rajasthan) today and on January 23. Dense fog is forecast to continue in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.
Delhi’s AQI still in poor category
However, due to the temperature variations, the air quality in Delhi is a matter of concern. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood in the ‘poor’ category at 262 this morning, as per the Central Pollution Control Board. The IMD states that the maximum temperature of the city will remain around 24 degrees Celsius.
An AQI ranging from 201 to 300 is considered to be “poor,” and that could lead to discomfort for individuals with sensitive respiratory conditions. Recently, the city had a very hot day on the 19th of January with the highest temperature of 26.1 d.c, which is the warmest day of January in 6 years. The highest maximum temperature measured in January was 28.7 degrees Celcius on January 21, 2019.
Recommendations are made to the people of Delhi to prepare themselves for possible rainfall and a drop in temperature in the next few days, but air quality concerns remain and need to be carefully watched, especially for those with respiratory problems.
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