Delhi recorded its coldest morning of the season on Thursday, with the minimum temperature plunging to 5.8 degrees Celsius amid severe cold conditions across the national capital, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The temperature was 1.1 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average, driven by cold northerly winds sweeping in from the Himalayan region. The previous lowest minimum this winter was recorded on December 20, when the mercury dipped to 6.1 degrees Celsius, while New Year’s Eve saw a minimum of 6.4 degrees.
The IMD warned that cold conditions are likely to persist through the week, although a marginal rise in maximum temperatures is expected from Friday. Clear skies are forecast until January 14, with shallow to moderate fog during morning hours.
In view of the severe cold, authorities announced that all schools in Delhi will remain closed until January 15.
Also read: Delhi air quality improves to ‘poor’
Weather expert Navdeep Dahiya said in a post on X: “Coldblast starts now, most stations in northern plains reported minimum temperature in range of 3–7 degrees this morning despite a thick layer of upper-level fog.”
According to the IMD, a “cold day” is declared when the minimum temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature remains at least 4.5 degrees below normal. A “severe cold day” is declared when the maximum temperature is 6.5 degrees or more below normal.
Cold conditions were also reported across neighbouring Punjab and Haryana, where temperatures dropped below 5 degrees Celsius. In Kashmir, several regions recorded sub-zero night temperatures, with the tourist town of Sonamarg registering the lowest at minus 10.1 degrees Celsius.
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