Winter has arrived in the national capital with a sharp dip in temperatures and worsening air quality. On Saturday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.7°C, which is 3.8°C below normal for this time of year. This marks the first time this season that temperatures in the city have fallen below the 10°C mark.
The maximum temperature stood at 26.6°C, about 1.9°C below normal, making the day noticeably cooler for residents.
IMD Forecast: Clear Skies, Mist, and Shallow Fog
For Sunday, November 16, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts:
-
Minimum temperature: 9–11°C
-
Maximum temperature: 24–26°C
-
Weather: Mainly clear skies with morning mist and shallow fog
IMD also expects temperatures over the next five days to range between 8–12°C (minimum) and 23–27°C (maximum)—a typical early-winter pattern for Delhi.
Delhi’s Air Quality Turns ‘Severe’ in Several Areas
Despite the cool breeze, Delhi continues to struggle with poor air. At 8 am on Sunday, the citywide Air Quality Index (AQI) was 385, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.
However, several pockets crossed into the ‘severe’ category:
-
Anand Vihar: AQI 412
-
Chandni Chowk: AQI 418
-
ITO: AQI 417
-
Bawana: AQI 436
A thick layer of smog settled over the city during the early hours, reducing visibility and increasing pollution-related health risks.
Pollution Has Been Persistently High
Delhi’s AQI remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday at 386, following similar readings on Friday. Earlier in the week, pollution levels were even more toxic:
-
Tuesday: AQI 428
-
Wednesday: AQI 418
-
Thursday: AQI 404
These readings pushed the city into the ‘severe’ zone for three consecutive days.
What AQI Levels Mean
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
-
0–50: Good
-
51–100: Satisfactory
-
101–200: Moderate
-
201–300: Poor
-
301–400: Very Poor
-
401–500: Severe
With several areas now above 400, residents—especially children, older adults, and those with breathing issues—are advised to limit outdoor exposure.
