Residents of Gurgaon and the National Capital Region (NCR) experienced a mix of chilly fog, isolated rain, and fluctuating temperatures on Friday, as per the latest bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While Gurgaon surprisingly recorded the highest maximum temperature in Haryana, Delhi shivered through its coldest January night in two years.
Fog, Rain, and a Surprising High in Gurgaon
The city of Gurgaon woke up to light rainfall on Friday morning, adding to the dampness caused by dense to very dense fog reported at isolated places across Haryana. The IMD noted that cold day and coldwave conditions persisted in several parts of the state. Despite the pervasive chill, Gurgaon recorded a maximum temperature of 18.4 degrees Celsius, the highest in Haryana for the day.
This represented a significant jump from the previous day. The state's average maximum temperature rose by 2.6 degrees Celsius compared to Thursday. However, it still remained 2.7 degrees below the normal average for this period of the season. On the other hand, the minimum temperature dipped further. Haryana's average minimum fell by 0.9°C, with Sirsa recording the lowest at 4 degrees Celsius.
Delhi's Biting Cold Makes a Record
The national capital faced a severe cold snap. Delhi's minimum temperature on Friday plummeted to 4.6 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest January night in two years. This reading was also the season's lowest, settling two degrees below normal. A slightly lower temperature of 3.3°C was last recorded on January 15, 2024.
In a minor relief from the dry spell, parts of Delhi witnessed very light rain on Friday morning—the first such occurrence this winter. The city had recorded no rain in November or December. Contrasting the cold night, the daytime maximum temperature in Delhi rose to 19.7 degrees Celsius, which was two degrees above normal.
IMD's Forecast: Fog to Persist, Temperatures to Dip
The weather department has issued a cautionary note for the coming days. Dense fog conditions are likely to continue, affecting visibility in parts of Haryana, Delhi, and the surrounding region. The five-day forecast predicts mostly to partly cloudy skies accompanied by fog.
For Gurgaon and Haryana, maximum temperatures are expected to hover between 13°C and 16°C over the next few days. In Delhi, the Met department predicts the minimum temperature to range between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius on Saturday, dipping further to between 4 and 6 degrees on Sunday. The maximum temperature in the capital is likely to stay between 16-18°C on Saturday and 15-17°C on Sunday.
The IMD advises residents to take necessary precautions against the cold wave and plan travel carefully due to reduced visibility caused by fog.
