Delhi shivered through its first cold wave of the season on Monday, as temperatures dropped sharply to 9.9°C at Aya Nagar, more than five degrees below normal.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that cold wave conditions are likely to persist in parts of the city over the next few days.
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First cold wave grips the capital
Delhi’s winter chill made an early appearance this year, with the minimum temperature plunging to 9.9°C at the Aya Nagar weather station, 5.6 degrees below the season’s average.
According to the IMD, a cold wave in the plains is declared when the minimum temperature drops to 10°C or below, and the departure from normal is between 4.5°C and 6.4°C for at least two consecutive days.
The city’s primary weather station at Safdarjung recorded a low of 10.4°C, nearly four notches below normal, making it the coldest morning of the season so far. The maximum temperature stood at 27.5°C, two degrees below normal, IMD data showed.
The weather office said, “Cold wave conditions are very likely to prevail in isolated pockets of Delhi during November 10–12.” The lowest temperature this season was recorded at 11°C on Saturday, marking a steady decline through the first week of November.
Chilly start to winter, fog ahead
This is the first time this winter that Delhi’s mercury has slipped below the 10-degree mark. The city’s minimum temperature fell below 15°C on November 6, signalling the transition into the cold season.
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Comparatively, Delhi’s minimum temperature on November 10 in recent years stood at 9.5°C in 2024, 9.2°C in 2023, and 7.3°C in 2022, indicating a consistent early onset of winter in the national capital.
The IMD has forecast shallow fog for Tuesday morning, with temperatures expected to hover around a maximum of 28°C and a minimum of 11°C. Residents can expect chilly mornings and pleasant afternoons through the week, as cold northwesterly winds continue to sweep across northern India.
