Delhi records coldest February day in a decade

NEW DELHI: Valentine ’s Day in Delhi NCR was greeted with overnight and morning rainfall due to which February witnessed its coldest day in a decade on Friday with temperature dropping to 14.6 degree celcius.

“The number of days in February having colder day temperature has increased since 1970. Today, it has become the 2nd coldest day for February in record for last 44 years when compare those data since 1971” said RK Jenamani, director in charge of the meteorological office at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).

The previous low in the month of February has been recorded on February 2 at 14.3 degree celcius in 2002. Low clouds post rainfall brought down the day temperature by 9 degree celcius from 22.6 degree celcius a day before.

With the night minimum temperature at 11.0 degree celcius, the difference in day and night temperature is 3.6 degree celcius, said Jenamani. The month of February this year has been witnessing colder days compared to normal since the past eight days.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted fog conditions from February 15th to 16th morning. “Zero visibility is difficult to predict as this is a late season fog. But the winds would be strong post February 17,” said Jenamani.

He added that with the moving away of the current western disturbance on February 15 from Delhi, light spell of rain would continue in the region. "Low clouds or fog and chill will continue till Sunday morning in Delhi, “he said. From February 17, day temperature is likely to go up to 22-24 degree celcius with minimum temperature at 6-8 degree celcius.