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Delhi's Coldest Morning in 3 Years: IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Fog and Cold Wave

Delhi recorded its coldest morning of the season and the coldest January reading in three years, with temperatures plunging to 4.2°C. The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert, warning of a cold wave and moderate to dense fog that will reduce visibility over the next two days. Concurrently, air quality has deteriorated to the 'poor' category, with an AQI of 259, as cold winds trap pollutants. Several areas, including Chandni Chowk with an AQI of 395, are experiencing very poor air quality, compounding public health concerns during the cold spell.

Key Points: Delhi Cold Wave Alert: IMD Warns of Dense Fog, AQI Poor

  • Coldest January morning in 3 years
  • IMD yellow alert for fog & cold wave
  • Visibility to reduce significantly
  • AQI in 'poor' category, nears 'severe'
2 min read

Delhi shivers as IMD warns of cold wave, AQI remains poor

Delhi shivers at 4.2°C, its coldest January morning in 3 years. IMD issues a yellow alert for dense fog and a cold wave, with air quality remaining poor.

"weather conditions are likely to worsen over the next two days amid a sharp drop in temperatures - IMD"

New Delhi, Jan 11

The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for dense fog and warned of a cold wave in Delhi-NCR for Sunday and Monday, cautioning that weather conditions are likely to worsen over the next two days amid a sharp drop in temperatures.

The national capital recorded its coldest morning of the ongoing winter on Saturday, with the minimum temperature at Safdarjung falling to 4.2 degrees Celsius, the lowest January reading in the last three years, according to IMD data.

Daytime conditions also remained chilly, with the maximum temperature settling below normal at 19.7 degrees Celsius, adding to the prolonged winter discomfort across the city.

With temperatures dipping sharply across several parts of Delhi, the weather department has also forecast moderate to dense fog during the morning hours, which is expected to significantly reduce visibility and further aggravate cold conditions.

As per IMD norms, cold wave conditions are declared when minimum temperatures drop between 4.5 and 6.4 degrees Celsius below normal, depending on local climatology.

Palam and Ayanagar recorded minimum temperatures of 4.5 degrees Celsius, while Lodi Road registered 4.7 degrees Celsius, and the Ridge area reported 5.3 degrees Celsius.

Maximum temperatures across various weather stations also remained suppressed, ranging from 17.2 degrees Celsius at Palam to around 19 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung and Ayanagar.

On Friday, the minimum temperature was recorded at 4.6 degrees Celsius.

As the cold wave deepens, air quality has deteriorated further due to unfavourable meteorological conditions.

Cold and calm winds have restricted the dispersion of pollutants, allowing pollution levels to accumulate over the city.

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the "poor" category, touching 259 at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Chandni Chowk recorded the worst air quality, with an AQI reading of 395, dangerously close to the "severe" category.

According to official data, 27 air quality monitoring stations across the city reported "very poor" air quality levels, while 11 stations remained in the "poor" category, raising health concerns as the cold spell continues.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The cold is one thing, but the AQI is what's truly scary. 395 in Chandni Chowk? That's a health emergency. We complain about the weather, but the air we breathe is the real silent killer. When will we see concrete, year-round action on pollution?
D
David E
Visiting from London and I must say, this cold feels different. It's a damp, penetrating chill. The combination of low visibility and poor air quality is quite concerning for outdoor activities. Hope it improves soon.
A
Aman W
Time for garam chai and pakoras! Seriously though, my elderly parents are struggling. The power cuts in our area aren't helping either. Authorities should ensure uninterrupted electricity for heating during such severe cold waves.
S
Sneha F
The IMD alerts are helpful, but I feel the response system for vulnerable populations—street dwellers, daily wage workers—is still lacking. Shelters and warm clothes distribution needs to be more proactive, not reactive.
V
Vikram M
This is the real Delhi winter I remember from my childhood! Minus the terrible pollution, of course. Everyone complaining about the cold, but honestly, I'll take this over the brutal May heat any day. Just layer up!
K
Kavya N
My morning

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