**Winter Weather Grips Delhi-NCR: Cold Days, Fog, and Poor Air Quality**
As winter deepens, the national capital and surrounding areas are experiencing severe cold conditions, dense fog, and deteriorating air quality, making mornings particularly challenging for residents of Delhi-NCR. Visibility has significantly decreased in various parts of the city, while the Air Quality Index (AQI) remains firmly in the ‘very poor’ category, raising health concerns among the population.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for dense to very dense fog in several regions, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and eastern Rajasthan. Moderate to dense fog is also expected in many areas of Delhi during the mornings of January 7 and 8. Cold day conditions are anticipated in isolated locations across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
**Cold Wave Conditions Persist**
The IMD reported that cold wave conditions have been observed in isolated areas of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, with ground frost noted in some parts of Uttarakhand. In Delhi, the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy over the next 24 hours, transitioning to mainly clear skies for the following two days before becoming generally cloudy again. Mist and haze are likely during nighttime, with shallow to moderate fog persisting in the mornings.
Minimum temperatures in the capital have been recorded between 8 and 9 degrees Celsius, while maximum temperatures range from 13 to 16 degrees Celsius. The IMD noted a slight increase in minimum temperatures by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius over the past day, despite a decrease in maximum temperatures by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. Westerly winds are blowing at speeds of up to 15 km/h during the day.
**Temperature Forecast**
The weather office predicts a slight drop in minimum temperatures over the next two days, followed by a rise of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius thereafter. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal on January 7 and 8, dip below normal on January 8, and rise above normal between January 10 and 11. Maximum temperatures are projected to remain significantly below normal on January 7, improve slightly on January 8, and stabilize near normal in the following days.
Meteorologists attribute the current weather conditions to a western disturbance, which is manifesting as a cyclonic circulation over northern Pakistan and nearby regions at approximately 5.8 km above sea level. A strong subtropical westerly jet stream, with core winds nearing 130 knots at about 12.6 km altitude, continues to influence the weather across northwest India.
**Air Quality Concerns Persist**
On January 7, air quality in Delhi-NCR showed no signs of improvement, with the overall AQI in Delhi recorded at 302, categorizing it as ‘very poor.’ Neighboring cities are also facing alarming air quality levels, with Ghaziabad at 317, Noida at 307, Gurugram at 295, and Faridabad at 219. Within Delhi, several monitoring stations reported severely polluted air, with Nehru Nagar recording an AQI of 361, Anand Vihar at 351, and Chandni Chowk at 347, among others.
As winter continues to tighten its grip on the region, residents are urged to take precautions against the cold and poor air quality, which pose significant health risks.
**FAQ**
**What are the current air quality levels in Delhi-NCR?**
As of January 7, the air quality in Delhi-NCR remains in the ‘very poor’ category, with the overall AQI in Delhi at 302 and neighboring cities reporting similarly concerning levels.
