After brief chill, sun shines bright

After a brief spell of sharp chill, Delhi saw some relief on Thursday as the minimum temperature rose to 11.4°C. A sunny and pleasant day followed, with temperatures moving from 18.5°C in the morning to 27.1°C by the afternoon.

The rise in temperature marks the second consecutive day of double-digit minimums. The Safdarjung base station recorded a minimum of 11.4°C, up by 1.2 degrees from the previous day, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The minimum temperature was 0.9 degrees below the seasonal average. The maximum reached around 28.2°C. The relative humidity stood at 96 per cent at 8.30 am.

Despite slight warmth, the city’s air quality continued to remain a concern. Delhi recorded an AQI of 391 at 4 pm, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category for the seventh straight day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

According to the IMD’s forecast, Friday is expected to record a minimum temperature of around 12°C, with the maximum likely to remain near 27°C. Moderate fog is expected during the morning hours.

On Saturday, the minimum temperature is likely to settle around 11°C and the maximum around 26°C. However, temperatures may dip again from Sunday, with the minimum forecast at 10°C and the maximum at 26°C.

A similar trend is expected on Monday, with a minimum of 10°C and a maximum of 25°C.

By Tuesday and Wednesday, the minimum temperature may drop back into single digits, settling near 9°C, while the maximum is expected to hover around 24°C.