‘Cold day’ likely in Delhi with minimum temperature around 8°C, AQI remains toxic: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday forecast a “cold day” for Delhi, with minimum temperatures dropping to around 6–8 degrees Celsius, even as air quality continued to worsen.

According to the IMD, the maximum temperature in the national capital is likely to remain between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is expected to hover between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius. The weather office also predicted a partly cloudy sky and cold day conditions at isolated places.

Dense fog is likely at several locations, with very dense fog possible in isolated areas, particularly during the morning hours. No weather warning has been issued for the city so far.

Delhi’s air quality edged close to the “severe” category on Sunday, with toxic smog blanketing the city. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 387 at 8 am.

While a cold day is expected on Sunday, the IMD said minimum temperatures may rise by 2–3 degrees Celsius over the next three to four days before falling by a similar margin thereafter.

Dense fog was reported across many parts of Delhi on Sunday, leading to low visibility. Similar conditions were recorded at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, prompting airlines to issue travel advisories. IndiGo warned passengers of possible disruptions due to early morning fog.

For Monday, the IMD forecast a partly cloudy sky with moderate fog at many places. Maximum temperatures are expected to be around 20–22 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may range between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius.

Delhi recorded its coldest December day of the season so far on December 18, with the maximum temperature settling at 20.1 degrees Celsius, about 2.1 degrees below normal, news agency PTI reported.

In its broader outlook, the IMD said cold wave conditions are likely to prevail over parts of Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, Uttarakhand and east Uttar Pradesh.