Delhi temperature drops to 2.9 degrees Celsius as national capital sees coldest January morning in 13 years: IMD says no respite from cold now. Check forecast

The residents of Delhi experienced chilly winter conditions on Sunday as isolated areas recorded coldwave conditions with temperatures dipping to 2.9 degrees Celsius. Delhi experienced biting cold on Sunday as it experienced the first cold wave of the season. Similar conditions are likely to prevail over the next two days, and an orange alert has been issued for Monday, the IMD officials told PTI. Ayanagar was the coldest place in the city, logging a minimum temperature of 2.9 degrees Celsius. Many places in Delhi experienced intense cold wave conditions on Sunday, with Palam, Ridge and Ayanagar stations reporting minimum temperatures below 4.0 degrees Celsius, the IMD said.

While Safdarjung, the city's base station, recorded a minimum of 4.8°C, three degrees below normal, Ayanagar recorded a low of 2.9°C, Palam 3°C and the Ridge station 3.7°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said this was the lowest minimum temperature for Palam in Jan in 13 years, reports TOI. The IMD has warned that coldwave conditions are likely to continue in the national capital till Wednesday.

Orange alert for Delhi today

An orange alert has been issued for Delhi till Tuesday and IMD has warned of coldwave conditions at many places, while a yellow alert will be in place for Wednesday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 18-20 degrees Celsius and 2-4 degrees Celsius, respectively. The minimum temperature is expected to range between 2°C and 4°C on Monday, and between 3°C and 5°C on Tuesday and Wednesday. The weather conditions in Delhi are expected to improve from January 15 and no coldwave warning is in place for the city.


Delhi is likely to experience partly cloudy skies on Tuesday with cold wave conditions likely at isolated places. The national capital may see moderate fog during the morning hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the ranges of 19°C to 21°C and 3°C to 5°C, respectively.

Delhi weather forecast

According to the IMD, Cold wave to Severe Cold wave conditions very likely to continue over Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on 12th & 13th with cold wave conditions in isolated pockets on 14th January. The weather agency has warned of dense fog conditions over northwest India and Bihar for the next five days. "Cold day conditions likely to prevail in isolated parts of Bihar during 11th -16th January and over North Rajasthan on 11th January," the weather department said.

"Cold wave to Severe Cold wave conditions very likely in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana Chandigarh & Delhi on 12th and cold wave conditions on 13th January," the IMD warned. As per forecast, “coldwave” will continue in the national Capital till Wednesday. “It is expected at many places on Monday and Tuesday and in isolated pockets on Wednesday,” an IMD official told HT.

Date	Weather Forecast

11.01.2026

No cold wave conditions

12.01.2026

Cold wave conditions at many places

13.01.2026

Cold wave conditions at a few places

14.01.2026

Cold wave conditions at isolated places

15.01.2026

No cold wave conditions

16.01.2026

No cold wave conditions

17.01.2026

No cold wave conditions

“Coldwave conditions were witnessed over Delhi as Palam, Ridge and Ayanagar reported minimum temperatures less than 4.1°C. No respite from the chills is expected in the coming days,” IMD scientist Krishna Mishra was quoted by HT as saying. As per IMD norms, a coldwave is declared when the minimum temperature is below 10°C and the departure from normal is 4.5°C or more. A coldwave can also be declared if the actual minimum temperature is 4°C or lower.

Delhi air quality

Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the 'poor' category, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) logged at 291, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed. According to CPCB's SAMEER app, 19 stations recorded 'very poor' air quality, while 20 stations logged readings in the 'poor' range. The Nehru Nagar station recorded the worst air quality, the data showed. The air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category between January 12 and January 14, with no visible improvement likely over the subsequent six days, according to the air quality warning system.