Cold conditions intensified in Delhi-NCR as the area saw a decrease in maximum temperatures by 7-8 degrees Celsius from the usual weather patterns for this season on a fog-filled Thursday. The capital city and nearby regions are under the grip of a cold wave with accompanying dense fog.
In the broader northern India, including areas such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, the cold snap is expected to persist for atleast the next three days, without any sign of relief. As reported by the India Meteorological Department, Delhi’s standard maximum temperature around this time should be 19.3 degrees Celsius, while the normal minimum sits at 6.9 degrees.
Various northern regions like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh observed maximum temperatures ranging from 12-18 degrees Celsius, deviating from the expected seasonal norm. With the strongest chill expected to stay below 18 degrees Celsius, a marginal temperature rise might occur post January 7th.
Temperature records from Thursday show 12.5 degrees Celsius in Safdarjung, 11.4 degrees Celsius in Palam, 10.8 degrees in Ghaziabad, 12 degrees in Ridge, 12.6 degrees on Lodhi Road, and 11.1 degrees in Noida. The meteorological authority forecasted extreme cold conditions, with minimums dipping under 10 degrees in localized areas of Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi for the period of January 4th to 6th.
Furthermore, very dense fog is expected to reduce visibility under 50 meters across these areas between January 4th and 6th. Light rainfall is predicted on January 8 and 9 for the northern and central plains, with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, southern Haryana, and parts of southern Uttar Pradesh possibly experiencing showers.
Flight schedules at Delhi’s IGI airport suffered disruptions on Thursday owing to the reduced visibility prompted by fog. To cope with the ongoing cold, Noida has closed schools for Grades up to 8 from January 3rd to 6th, while higher classes will maintain their schedules as per the Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration.