Cold Wave Sweeps North India: Delhi Experiences Season’s Coldest Morning

Delhi faced the coldest morning of the season on Wednesday, December 11, with temperatures plummeting to 4.9 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung and 6.2 degrees Celsius at Palam, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). A thin layer of fog covered parts of the city, prolonging the morning chill until around 9 am. The drop in temperature was attributed to smog, mist, and surface winds from the northwest at speeds of 8-10 km/h.

Cyclists at India Gate enjoyed the cold weather, with one sharing that the sky had cleared, indicating a shift in the capital’s weather.

IMD’s forecast for the day suggests a clear sky with surface winds under 8 km/h in the morning, increasing slightly to 10-12 km/h in the afternoon. Smog and mist are likely to persist into the evening and night.

Air Quality Update: Poor AQI

As of 7 am on Wednesday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 209, categorized as “poor” by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Some areas reported even worse air quality, such as Dwarka with an AQI of 250, and Ashok Vihar at 227. On Tuesday, Delhi’s AQI remained in the “poor” category at 224, continuing a trend of reduced visibility due to smog.

IMD’s Cold Wave Predictions

The IMD predicts a 2°C drop in minimum temperatures over northwest India in the next 24 hours, with cold wave conditions expected in Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad on December 11. Cold wave conditions will affect Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Madhya Pradesh in the coming days.

Ground Frost and Dense Fog

Ground frost is likely in isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on December 11 and 12, while dense fog is expected late at night or early morning in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Bihar, East Uttar Pradesh, and several northeastern states.

As the cold wave continues, residents are urged to take precautions against the chilling weather conditions.

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