New Delhi witnessed an unusually warm Thursday as the mercury soared to 27.1 degrees Celsius, marking the highest January temperature recorded in the capital city over the past seven years. This reading was a significant seven degrees above the normal seasonal average for this time of year, creating uncharacteristically mild conditions for winter.
Historical Context and Meteorological Factors
The last time Delhi experienced such warmth in January was on January 21, 2019, when the maximum temperature reached 28.7 degrees Celsius. Meteorological officials attributed Thursday's unusual warmth to consistent warm easterly winds and clear skies, which allowed for extended periods of sunshine throughout the day.
"Westerly winds typically bring colder temperatures during this season, while easterly winds tend to be warmer," explained an official from the weather department. This atmospheric pattern created the perfect conditions for the temperature spike that residents experienced.
Weather Forecast and Temperature Dip
The warm spell is expected to be short-lived, with weather forecasts predicting multiple spells of light rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds on Friday. Due to these anticipated weather changes, meteorologists expect the mercury to dip significantly in the coming days.
Met officials have indicated that a western disturbance will likely bring one or two spells of light rain to the city, possibly accompanied by thunderstorms or lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph during the early to forenoon hours on Friday. "Another spell of very light to light rain toward the afternoon or evening is also likely on Friday," added an official.
Temperature Projections
Due to the expected rain and increased cloudiness, temperature forecasts suggest:
- Maximum temperature on Friday: 18-20 degrees Celsius
- Maximum temperature on Saturday: 16-18 degrees Celsius
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for rain in response to these weather predictions.
Air Quality Improvement and GRAP Measures
In parallel with the temperature changes, Delhi's air quality showed marked improvement on Thursday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reading 322, placing it at the lower end of the very poor category. This positive development prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to revoke measures that had been implemented under GRAP Stage-III.
"The AQI is improving, owing to favourable meteorological conditions. The forecast by IMD/IITM indicates that the AQI is likely to remain in the moderate to poor category in the coming days," stated CAQM in their official announcement.
Restrictions Lifted
With the removal of GRAP Stage-III restrictions, several measures have been lifted, including:
- Ban on construction and demolition work
- Restrictions on the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles
- Hybrid mode for schools
The AQI is expected to recede further to the poor category on Friday and potentially improve to moderate by Saturday if current meteorological predictions hold true.
Additional Weather and Monitoring Details
While maximum temperatures reached unusual highs, the minimum temperature on Thursday stood at 6.3 degrees Celsius, which was one degree below the normal range for this time of year. This created a significant temperature variation throughout the day.
Meanwhile, CAQM reported that their flying squads conducted 330 inspections across major air pollution-related sectors between January 7 and January 19. During these inspections, officials documented 90 violations, indicating ongoing monitoring efforts despite the recent air quality improvements.
