NEW DELHI: Residents of the national capital and its surrounding regions were greeted by clear skies on Saturday morning, marking a significant shift from the heavy rainfall that had persisted throughout Friday. This sudden weather transformation provided a welcome respite from the persistent pollution, leading to improved air quality and enhanced visibility across the area.
Air Quality Shows Marginal Improvement
According to the latest readings, Delhi recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 256 at 7 am on Saturday, which still places it within the "poor" category. This represents a slight improvement from the previous day's conditions. On Friday morning, light rain accompanied by thunderstorms had brought some relief, though the air quality remained problematic with an AQI of 297 at 7 am, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The Friday reading showed a marginal enhancement compared to Thursday morning, when the AQI stood at 312, categorizing the air as "very poor." Despite this positive trend, numerous localities across Delhi continued to experience concerning air quality levels.
Localized Air Quality Readings
CPCB data revealed varying AQI levels across different monitoring stations:
- Anand Vihar: 317
- Ashok Vihar: 335
- Wazirpur: 351
- Punjabi Bagh: 326
- RK Puram: 315
- Bawana: 342
- ITO: 266
- Chandni Chowk: 326
- Dwarka Sector 8: 316
These readings indicate that while overall conditions showed slight improvement, many areas remained firmly in the "poor" to "very poor" range, highlighting the persistent nature of Delhi's air quality challenges.
Temperature Forecast and Weather Patterns
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has provided detailed forecasts for the coming days. A notable drop in minimum temperatures of approximately 5-6°C is anticipated over the next three days, followed by a gradual increase thereafter. This temperature fluctuation will create varying thermal conditions across the region.
Detailed Temperature Projections
Minimum temperatures are expected to follow this pattern:
- Normal range (-1.5°C to 1.5°C) during the next three days
- Above normal (1.6°C to 3.0°C) on January 27 and 29
- Appreciably below normal (-3.1°C to -5.0°C) on January 23 and 24, 2026
Sky Conditions and Fog Predictions
The meteorological outlook includes:
- Partly cloudy skies on January 25 and 26, 2026
- Generally cloudy conditions on January 23, 24, 27, and 29
- Shallow to moderate fog likely during morning hours for the next six days
On Friday morning, the temperature in Delhi registered at approximately 16.4 degrees Celsius at 7 am, according to IMD measurements. This reading provides context for the expected temperature variations in the coming period.
Understanding AQI Classifications
For proper context of air quality readings, it's essential to understand the AQI classification system:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
The current readings place Delhi in the "poor" category, indicating that while there has been some improvement from previous "very poor" conditions, the air quality remains a concern for public health and daily activities.
The weather transition from heavy rainfall to clear skies represents a significant meteorological shift for the national capital region. While the rainfall provided temporary relief from pollution, the underlying air quality issues persist, requiring continued monitoring and mitigation efforts. Residents can expect fluctuating temperatures and varying sky conditions in the coming days, with fog likely to affect morning visibility across the region.
