Delhi records the season's coolest morning as mercury drops to 4.5°C
The seasonal cold wave engulfing Delhi shows that this is a general effect of weather conditions in North Indian states. Since the city continues to face record lows, the determination of the people to carry on is a testament to their strength.
Delhi residents witnessed the season’s coldest morning on Thursday, December 12, as per the minimum temperature recorded by India Meteorological Department (IMD), which dropped to as low as 4.5°C, the lowest in quite some time. The Safdarjung weather station captured this, four degrees below seasonal average, making it the city’s second day of severe cold wave conditions consecutively.
IMD Weather Forecast: A Chilling Outlook for Delhi and Beyond
Delhi, along with the North Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, is likely to face a couple of more record-breaking cold mornings in the coming days as per the IMD forecast. In the plains, under guidelines by the IMD, the stage is declared for a cold wave if the minimum temperature has already plummeted below 4 degrees Celsius, or even when it has dropped between 4.5°C to 6.4°C below normal.
The cold wave conditions are being attributed to continuing weather patterns that brought frigid winds from the northwest. For December 12, the forecast calls for mostly clear skies and light winds in the morning that would become a bit more strengthening in the afternoon to then ease again by nightfall. Smog or mist is expected to creep in during the night again and intensify the feeling of winter.
Minimum Temperatures in Delhi
At Safdarjung, the minimum was 4.5 degrees at 8:30 am. Meanwhile, Palam weather station reported a slightly higher minimum of 6 degrees-three degrees below normal. Both of them reported slight falls in their 24-hour average temperature, which points towards cold wave conditions.
Just a day earlier, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 4.9°C, which was the previous coldest morning of the season. The sharp drop this week has been a noticeable shift for Delhi’s winter weather, with temperatures consistently dipping 5 degrees below normal.
Impact on Daily Life: Coping with the Cold
Freezing temperatures have drastically affected the daily life of the capital. Many school-going children and office-goers were seen bundled in multiple layers to keep themselves warm. Scenes of people huddled around makeshift bonfires have become a common sight as residents seek relief from the biting cold. Furthermore, the presence of smog and mist has added to the discomfort, creating low visibility and respiratory challenges for commuters.
IMD Forecast for North India and Beyond
Weather updates released by the IMD mention that over northwest and central parts of the area, minimum temperatures are forecast to remain stationary during the coming four-five days. East India is forecasted to witness a drop up to 2-3°C in two days. West part of the country, however, will experience minima at slightly elevated values at the same rates.
Preparations and Precautions During Cold Wave Conditions
More cold mornings are expected for Delhi, and the authorities along with the residents have made all the necessary preparations to bear the brunt of winter. The Delhi government has increased the number of night shelters so that homeless people can stay warm and secure. Health experts say they should wear proper clothes, hydrate themselves, and avoid going out during peak cold hours.
Delhi Winter Weather: Look Ahead
Latest updates coming from the IMD indicate that winter weather would keep on dominating the headlines with the temperatures remaining well below norms. Residents need to keep abreast of daily reports and need to take precautions to keep themselves warm.
The seasonal cold wave that has gripped Delhi underlines the larger impact of weather patterns on North Indian states. As the city continues to experience record-breaking lows, the resilience of its people in braving these challenging conditions remains a testament to their spirit.
