Delhi Wakes to Fog and Chilly Winds After Record Cold March Day
Delhi residents encountered an unexpected shroud of fog and brisk winds on Saturday morning, marking a continuation of unusually cold weather. This comes just a day after the city recorded its coldest March day in six years, coupled with the cleanest air quality observed in five months.
Air Quality Hits 'Satisfactory' Level for First Time in Months
The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 94, categorized as 'satisfactory,' at 8 am on Saturday. This significant improvement follows Friday's AQI of 93, which marked the first 'satisfactory' air day since October 9, 2025, when the AQI was 99. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, air quality is expected to remain in the 'moderate' category from Saturday through March 23.
AQI Categories as per CPCB Standards:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-500: Severe
Temperature Dips and Rainfall Forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a minimum temperature of around 14 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 27 degrees Celsius for Saturday. While no rain was recorded on Saturday morning, Friday saw 7 mm of precipitation, contributing to Delhi's wettest March since 2023, with an average rainfall of 16.2 mm for the month. Looking ahead, very light rain is expected to return on Monday, accompanied by possible thunderstorms and lightning due to an active western disturbance.
Coldest March Day Recorded at Safdarjung Station
On Friday, the Safdarjung weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 21.7 degrees Celsius, which is 9.6 degrees below normal. This makes it the coldest March day since March 8, 2020, when the temperature dropped to 21.2 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature on Friday was 16 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees below normal, further emphasizing the chilly conditions.
Overall, Delhi's weather remains unseasonably cold with improved air quality, but residents should prepare for potential rain and thunderstorms early next week as the western disturbance influences regional conditions.
