On Monday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 12.9 degrees celsius which is 10 degrees below the season’s normal. December 16, was marked as the coldest day of the season that city has recorded in over 16 years. If you thought it’s not going to get colder, you might want to hold that thought.
What’s More?
According to the Indian Meteorology Department, this is the coldest December that the city has recorded in the last 20 years. The IMD has also issued a ‘cold day’ warning in Delhi for today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday), which means that the temperature is expected to fall 4.4 degrees celsius below the normal mark.
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December 16 entered the ‘severe cold day’ category as well. A severe cold day happens when the minimum temperature drops to less than 10 degrees and the maximum temperature is recorded at least 6.4 degrees below normal. In this case, Delhi has conveniently made it to that. Parts of Haryana, Punjab and north Rajasthan were also marked under the ‘severe cold day’ category on Monday.
What’s In Store?
According to reports, light rain and thunderstorm is expected in Delhi on December 22. It is expected to get colder so we suggest that you get your jackets and warm hats out. Due to snowfall in the upper regions like Jammu and Shimla, the cold winds and western disturbances have trickled to parts of Delhi as well. Dense fog and very little sunlight isn’t bringing respite from the cold either.
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There is a silver lining though. As per the IMD, the cold winds have helped in bringing down the level of pollution in the air. On Monday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 185.
The last time, the coldest day was recorded, was on December 25, 2003; and the coldest month was recorded in 1997. ‘The lowest December day temperature was recorded on December 28, 1973, when the mercury touched 11.2 degrees Celsius, according to data from IMD’s National Weather Forecasting Centre (NWFC),’ it was reported.
We suggest, while stepping out of the house, be well clad and stay warm. For those who have to step out, staying home all cozied up in a blanket isn’t really an option, so might as well make the most of it with hot chocolate!