Weather Update: Delhi records harshest winters in 13 years, registers second lowest temperature since 2012 – Check Details 

People in the national capital braved their coldest January in the past 13 years, with an average maximum temperature recording around 17.7°C, the lowest since 2012, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) mentioned on Tuesday (January 30).

The first month of 2024 also ranked as the second-coldest January in the same period, considering the average minimum temperature. 

Notably, Delhiites endured a freezing spell as the minimum temperature for January 2024 has been clocked at 6.2°C, slightly higher than the record low of 6.1°C in January 2013, making it the second-coldest January in this aspect, the weather forecast agency mentioned with observations made at Safdarjung observatory.

Dense fog shrouds Delhi-NCR 

On Wednesday morning (January 31), a layer of thick fog shrouded Delhi-NCR significantly reducing the visibility and hampered traffic movement in the city.

Earlier on Tuesday, a similar situation was seen as dense fog engulfed the national capital and vast swathes of North India, significantly impacting visibility.

Comparing Delhi’s weather patterns to the previous year, the city has witnessed a slight drop in the average maximum temperature, down from the previous record of 18°C set in January 2022. This stands in stark contrast to January 2018, where the highest maximum temperature recorded averaged 22.2°C, typically hovering around 19°C during this month,

Interestingly, this year’s cold spell in Delhi is vastly different from January 2016, when the city witnessed the warmest January in the past 13 years based on the minimum temperature parameter. The average minimum temperature was recorded at 9.2°C in 2016. Whereas, the average minimum temperature was recorded at 6.6°C in 2023.

Dense fog prevails over parts of the country

Very dense fog was reported in isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Northwest Rajasthan, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, read a post on the official X handle of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

As per IMD, dense to very dense fog conditions are very likely to prevail in morning hours over some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi till February 2.

Isolated pockets over Odisha, north Rajasthan, Gangetic West Bengal, and Bihar to see foggy conditions today and tomorrow. 

Wet spell over western Himalayan region 

Meanwhile, the wet spell over the Western Himalayan region and adjoining plains is predicted till February 4, 2024, with peak intensity on January 31 & February 1. 

Under the influence of western disturbances, light to moderate rainfall/snowfall is very likely over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand during the next 5 days till February 4 and decrease significantly thereafter.