Delhi recorded its coldest day of the season on Saturday, with the maximum temperature at 16.9 degrees Celsius, 5.3 notches below normal. The city's average AQI reached 398, in the 'Very Poor' category, and is forecast to turn 'Severe' on Sunday and Monday. Noida's AQI was already 'Severe' at 401.
Delhi experienced its first 'cold day' of the winter on Saturday, with the minimum temperature at 6.1 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a 'cold day' in the plains is declared when the minimum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius or less and the maximum is 4.5 to 6.5 degrees below normal. The Safdarjung observatory recorded a maximum of 16.9 degrees Celsius, the lowest for December 2024, compared to 15.9 degrees in 2023 and 15.6 in 2022.
Air quality worsened, with the average AQI at 398, up from 374 on Friday. By 11 pm, it reached 410, breaching the 'Severe' threshold. The IMD has warned that the AQI will remain 'Very Poor' to 'Severe' in the coming days. Noida's AQI stood at 401 ('Severe'), slightly down from 410, while Gurugram's rose to 362 ('Poor') from 322.
Dense fog and smog reduced visibility, with 200 meters at Safdarjung and 350 meters at Palam at 8:30 am, improving to 400 and 600 meters by afternoon. The fog led to several flight cancellations. The IMD issued an orange alert.
Locally, the transport sector contributes 17.57% to PM2.5 pollution, while inflows from neighboring areas are significant, with Jhajjar accounting for 16.51%.