New Delhi – Delhi shivers as winds fog continue to grip the national capital, with cold day conditions persisting for the second consecutive day. The maximum temperature remained significantly below normal at 16.7°C on Wednesday, marginally higher than Tuesday’s 15.7°C but still two degrees below the seasonal average. The combination of upper-level fog and icy-cold northwesterly winds created challenging weather conditions across the city, prompting meteorological authorities to maintain heightened alerts for residents.
IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Continued Cold Weather
The India Meteorological Department reported that Delhi shivers as winds fog affected multiple weather stations across the capital. Two key monitoring stations at Palam and Lodhi Road recorded official “cold day” conditions based on IMD classification criteria. The meteorological department predicted a marginal rise in maximum temperature by one degree on Thursday, though no significant overall change is expected. The yellow alert issued the previous day remains in effect, warning residents to take necessary precautions against the persistent cold weather.
Visibility Drops Significantly Due to Fog Cover
Met officials confirmed that Delhi shivers as winds fog caused shallow fog conditions on Wednesday, significantly impacting visibility across the capital. Visibility dropped to approximately 800 metres at Safdarjung and further reduced to 600 metres at Palam. Although surface-level fog remained mainly shallow, it persisted at upper atmospheric levels, contributing to the continued suppression of daytime temperatures. The fog cover, combined with consistent northwesterly winds, prevented adequate solar radiation from warming the surface.
Meteorological Explanation for Temperature Suppression
Weather experts explained why Delhi shivers as winds fog keep temperatures abnormally low. Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet, stated that consistent northwesterly winds, alongside the fog, prevented the maximum temperature from rising. “While a few places saw sunshine, it was not strong enough,” Palawat noted, explaining the meteorological phenomenon affecting the capital. The persistent wind pattern and upper-level fog created a barrier that blocked sufficient sunlight from reaching ground level.
Official Cold Day Classification Criteria
The situation where Delhi shivers as winds fog met specific meteorological criteria for cold day classification. IMD defines a “cold day” when the minimum temperature falls below 10°C and the maximum temperature departure from normal exceeds 4.5°C. A “severe cold day” occurs when the maximum temperature is 6.5°C or more below normal. Both Palam and Lodhi Road weather stations satisfied these criteria, recording departures of -4.8°C and -4.7°C from normal respectively.
Temperature Variations Across Weather Stations
Multiple monitoring stations recorded how Delhi shivers as winds fog affected different areas of the capital. The lowest maximum temperature was 13.9°C at Palam, followed by 15.9°C recorded at both Ridge and Ayanagar stations. The minimum temperature on Wednesday stood at 8.6°C, two degrees below normal. Remarkably, the difference between maximum and minimum temperatures was only approximately 8°C, indicating unusually suppressed daytime heating.
Also Read: IMD Cold Wave Warning: Urgent Alert for North and Central India
Regional Fog Forecast and Predictions
IMD forecasted that Delhi shivers as winds fog conditions will continue with moderate to dense fog expected in the capital. Upper-level fog is predicted to persist across the Indo-Gangetic Plain region on Thursday. This widespread atmospheric phenomenon affects not just Delhi but encompasses a larger geographical area, suggesting that relief from current conditions may not arrive immediately. The meteorological patterns indicate sustained cold weather across northern India.
Extended Cold Spell Expected Until Mid-January
Experts predict that Delhi shivers as winds fog conditions will intensify across north India until January 15. Navdeep Dahiya, an amateur weatherman, explained that with no obstructions such as western disturbances expected until mid-January, similar conditions should prevail. Single-digit maximum temperatures are anticipated in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and parts of Uttar Pradesh, indicating a widespread cold wave affecting the entire northern region.
Near Single-Digit Temperatures Across Northern States
On Wednesday, as Delhi shivers as winds fog affected the capital, multiple stations across northern India narrowly missed recording single-digit maximum temperatures, hovering between 10-12°C. The wind chill factor contributed to bone-chilling cold during evening hours. Weather forecasters predicted these conditions would intensify further on Thursday, with Delhi expected to experience maximum temperatures between 12-15°C. The combined effect of low temperatures and wind chill created conditions that felt significantly colder than actual readings.
Minimum Temperature Projections
While Delhi shivers as winds fog continues to dominate weather patterns, experts provided projections for minimum temperatures. Dahiya predicted that while minimum temperatures may not fall as drastically as witnessed in 2019, they should stabilize between 3-4°C in coming days. This represents a significant drop from current levels and would bring the capital closer to experiencing severe cold conditions that require additional public health measures.
Implications for Residents and Daily Life
As Delhi shivers as winds fog persists, residents face challenging conditions affecting daily activities. The combination of low visibility, cold temperatures, and persistent winds creates hazardous conditions for commuters and outdoor workers. The yellow alert serves as an important warning for vulnerable populations, including elderly citizens and children, to limit outdoor exposure during peak cold hours. The sustained nature of these conditions, expected to continue until mid-January, requires residents to maintain vigilance and take appropriate protective measures against the cold weather affecting the national capital region.
