Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon weather alert: IMD warns of snow and fog across North India, including J&K, Himachal and Uttarakhand

Weather Today: Winter conditions intensified across north India as temperatures dipped sharply in several regions, while dense fog reduced visibility in parts of Rajasthan. Kashmir continued to reel under severe cold, with the weather office forecasting light rain or snowfall in higher reaches over the next few days.

Delhi Records Below-Normal Day Temperatures

In Delhi on Sunday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 17.3 degrees Celsius, two degrees below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The minimum temperature settled at 7.4 degrees Celsius, around 0.5 degrees above normal.

IMD data showed that the Ridge area recorded a minimum temperature of 8.9 degrees Celsius, followed by 7.6 degrees in Lodhi Road, 7.4 degrees in Safdarjung, 6.8 degrees in Palam and 6.6 degrees in Ayanagar.

Delhi Cold Wave Likely to Persist Till January 6

On the maximum temperature front, the Ridge logged 17.8 degrees Celsius, while Lodhi Road recorded 17 degrees Celsius. Ayanagar and Palam reported maximum temperatures of 16.7 degrees and 16.3 degrees Celsius respectively.

The IMD has forecast cold wave conditions at isolated places in Delhi till January 6.

Air Quality Remains ‘Very Poor’ in Delhi

Delhi’s air quality continued to remain a concern, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 307 at 4 pm, falling in the ‘very poor’ category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

The relative humidity level stood at 73 per cent at 5.30 pm.

Dense Fog and Cold Wave Conditions in Rajasthan

Rajasthan witnessed moderate to dense fog at several places during the morning hours. Fatehpur in Sikar district recorded the coldest minimum temperature in the state at 1.1 degrees Celsius.

Sirohi, Pali and Churu recorded minimum temperatures of 4.4 degrees Celsius each. Vanasthali registered a low of 4 degrees Celsius, while Lunkaransar and Sikar recorded 2.8 degrees and 2.5 degrees Celsius respectively.

Jaipur, the state capital, recorded a minimum temperature of 8.8 degrees Celsius. The weather office said cold wave conditions were observed at isolated places in eastern Rajasthan.

Sub-Zero Temperatures Persist in Kashmir

Kashmir continued to remain in the grip of intense cold during Chilla-e-Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter period. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, down from minus 1.5 degrees Celsius a night earlier.

Gulmarg, a popular ski destination, remained the coldest location, with temperatures dipping to minus 6.5 degrees Celsius. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5 degrees Celsius.

Other areas in the valley also reported freezing conditions, with Qazigund recording minus 4 degrees Celsius, Kupwara minus 2.5 degrees Celsius and Kokernag minus 1.6 degrees Celsius.

Snowfall Likely in Higher Reaches of Northern States

The IMD has forecast light rain or snowfall at isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on January 5 and 6. Isolated places in Uttarakhand are also likely to receive rain or snow on January 6, with ground frost expected in some areas.

Temperature Trends Across the Rest of India

The weather office said minimum temperatures are likely to fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over parts of Central and East India over the next three days, with no significant change expected thereafter for the following four days.

Meanwhile, Gujarat is expected to see a gradual rise in minimum temperatures over the next five days. No major change has been forecast for minimum temperatures across the remaining parts of the country.

Inputs from agencies