Delhi experiences cold wave as IMD issues 2-day ‘yellow’ fog alert

Image of winter fog scene in Delhi with India Gate as a background

Cold wave conditions persisted in parts of Delhi for the second consecutive day on Monday as the minimum temperature dropped further. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for moderate fog and cold wave conditions at isolated locations on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The minimum temperature at Safdarjung, Delhi’s primary weather station, fell to 4.5 degrees Celsius, four degrees below normal. This temperature was also recorded on December 12 and is the lowest minimum temperature for December in three years. The previous record was 3.2 degrees Celsius on December 20, 2021.

Pusa in west Delhi recorded the lowest temperature on Monday at 3.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Ayanagar in south Delhi at 4 degrees Celsius. “Both stations experienced cold wave conditions,” said an IMD official. The maximum temperature, however, reached 24.5 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal. “The minimum temperature was 3 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal, while the maximum temperature was near normal in most areas,” the IMD reported.

Meteorologists attributed the dip in temperature to clear skies, which caused radiational cooling during the night. “Clear skies on Sunday caused the mercury to drop. A feeble western disturbance may cause a slight increase in temperatures. Although winds have slowed, moisture and haziness persist,” said Mahesh Palawat, Vice President at Skymet Meteorology.

The minimum temperature is expected to hover around 5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and Wednesday, with isolated areas experiencing cold wave conditions. “Chilly winds could worsen the cold at times. While the cold is tolerable, it may pose mild health risks to vulnerable groups, including infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses,” the IMD warned.

By December 20, the minimum temperature may rise to 7 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is expected to stay around 24 degrees Celsius on Tuesday but drop to 22 degrees on Wednesday.

The shallow fog was observed in Delhi on Monday, reducing visibility to 800 meters. Visibility is expected to decline further over the next two days.

According to the IMD, a cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius with a departure of 4.5 degrees or more from normal, or when the minimum temperature drops below 4 degrees Celsius.