Delhi woke up to dense fog on Tuesday morning, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to place the national capital under an orange alert, with red alerts issued in several districts.
The reduced visibility also coincided with poor air quality, as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 254, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 8 am.
Dense Fog Triggers Weather Alerts Across Delhi
As per IMD’s nowcast, North, Central, North East, East, New Delhi, Shahdara, South, and South East Delhi were placed under a red alert for dense fog conditions. Meanwhile, North West, West, and South West Delhi remained under an orange alert, indicating continued low visibility during early morning hours.
Visibility in some areas dropped to as low as 100 metres, affecting road traffic and flight operations.
Temperature Outlook
The IMD’s weekly forecast indicates that Delhi’s maximum temperature is expected to remain around 20°C, while the minimum temperature may dip to approximately 8°C. Foggy conditions are likely to persist across the city until February 8.
No additional weather warnings have been issued for the period February 4 to February 8, despite continued foggy mornings.
Flights Disrupted Due to Low Visibility
On Monday, more than 300 flights were delayed at Delhi airport after dense fog persisted for over six hours. The fog followed light rainfall caused by a western disturbance, which increased moisture levels and worsened visibility conditions.
Recent Temperature Trends
On Monday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 17.5°C, nearly five degrees below the seasonal average, while the minimum temperature stood at 10.4°C, slightly above normal. Despite the sharp dip in daytime temperatures, no cold day was declared, as minimum temperatures remained above the threshold.
What to Expect in the Coming Days
According to the weather department, the capital is likely to see continued foggy mornings, with daytime temperatures ranging between 20°C and 23°C, and nighttime temperatures between 8°C and 10°C.
Residents are advised to exercise caution while commuting, stay informed through official weather updates, and take necessary precautions, particularly during early morning travel.
