New Delhi – The India Meteorological Department has issued a weather alert predicting harsh winter conditions for the national capital, with the Delhi cold wave expected to persist through January 5. The forecast comes as the city continues to battle poor visibility due to dense fog and deteriorating air quality levels that have firmly settled in the ‘very poor’ category.
IMD Issues Cold Wave Warning for Multiple States
The Delhi cold wave prediction is part of a broader weather pattern affecting northern India. According to the IMD, cold wave conditions are likely at isolated places in Delhi between January 2 and 5, with similar warnings issued for Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana during the same period.
The meteorological department defines a cold wave as a condition when the minimum temperature drops 4.5 to 6.5 degrees Celsius below the normal average temperature. This technical definition helps authorities and citizens prepare for potentially dangerous weather conditions that can affect health and daily activities.
On Thursday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 17.3 degrees Celsius, which was two notches below normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 10.6 degrees Celsius, surprisingly 3.7 notches above normal. This temperature variation indicates the unpredictable nature of the Delhi cold wave conditions currently affecting the region.
Dense Fog Reduces Visibility Significantly
Beyond the Delhi cold wave, another major concern for residents is the persistent fog that has severely reduced visibility across the city. The IMD has predicted that a layer of dense to very dense fog will continue through the night and morning hours in Delhi until January 6.
Visibility remained critically poor in several areas on Thursday. Safdarjung, one of Delhi’s key monitoring stations, reported the lowest visibility at 500 metres from 10:30 PM on December 31 until 8:30 AM on Thursday. The visibility improved marginally to 600 metres by 9:00 AM, but conditions remained hazardous for transportation.
Similarly, Palam recorded 500-metre visibility from 9:30 PM on December 31 to 8:00 AM on Thursday, which improved to 600 metres by 8:30 AM. Such low visibility conditions pose significant risks for road traffic and aviation operations, with authorities advising extreme caution during travel.
The weather office has indicated that these fog conditions are likely to continue in the coming days, potentially disrupting normal life and transportation networks across the national capital region.
Coldest December Day Since 2019
The severity of the current Delhi cold wave became evident when the city recorded its coldest December day in six years on Wednesday. The maximum temperature plunged to 14.2 degrees Celsius, approximately 6.2 degrees below normal, marking a biting end to 2025.
Historical data from the IMD reveals that the last time Delhi recorded a lower maximum temperature in December was on December 31, 2019, when the day’s maximum dipped to 9.4 degrees Celsius. This comparison highlights the exceptional nature of the current cold spell.
Looking ahead, the IMD has forecast a partly cloudy sky in Delhi, with moderate fog at many places and dense fog at a few places during morning hours. The maximum temperature is expected to range between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is predicted to settle between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius.
Air Quality Remains a Serious Concern
Compounding the challenges posed by the Delhi cold wave, the city’s air quality has remained firmly entrenched in the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index stood at 380 on Thursday.
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The CPCB’s SAMEER app data showed that 26 monitoring stations across the city were recording readings in the ‘very poor’ zone, while 11 stations had escalated to the ‘severe’ category. Anand Vihar recorded the worst AQI at 423, indicating extremely hazardous air quality conditions for residents in that area.
Officials have attributed the poor air quality to multiple factors that are exacerbating the Delhi cold wave situation. An unfavourable ventilation index of less than 6,000 square metres per second, combined with low wind speeds, has created conditions that are not conducive to the dispersion of pollutants.
Health and Safety Implications
The combination of the Delhi cold wave, dense fog, and very poor air quality presents a triple threat to public health. Vulnerable populations, including children, elderly individuals, and those with respiratory conditions, face heightened risks during this period.
The persistent fog associated with the Delhi cold wave not only reduces visibility but also traps pollutants closer to the ground, intensifying the AQI levels. This creates a feedback loop where weather conditions worsen air quality, which in turn affects public health and quality of life.
Authorities are advising residents to take necessary precautions, including limiting outdoor activities during peak pollution hours, wearing appropriate warm clothing to combat the cold, and exercising caution while traveling during low-visibility conditions. The Delhi cold wave is expected to continue challenging the city’s residents through the first week of January, requiring sustained vigilance and preparedness.
