Why Is Delhi Seeing Warm January? IMD Expert Explains Reason Behind Sudden Jump In Temperature This Winter

The IMD forecasted rain in Punjab, Haryana, Western UP, Delhi-NCR, and North Rajasthan on January 22 and 23, while dense fog is expected to persist in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Bengal, and Odisha.

Representational Image | Delhi's minimum temperature rose to 9.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. The IMD predicts rain in Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, and North Rajasthan on January 22 and 23.

Source : PTI

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 1.8 degrees above the seasonal average. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), attributed the temperature rise was due to a strong western disturbance.

"This morning the minimum temperature of Delhi was around 12 degrees Celcius because there is a strong western disturbance coming and southerly winds have reached Delhi," NDTV quoted Dr Soma Sen Roy, India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist as saying.

"In north India, temperature will rise by 1-2 degrees Celcius though in Delhi there won't be any chance of further temperature rise. After two days, from 24th (January) morning, the temperature might fall slowly because western disturbance will move," Dr Roy added.

The IMD forecasted rain in Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, and North Rajasthan on January 22 and 23, while dense fog is expected to persist in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Bengal, and Odisha.

Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board's reports say that the air quality in Delhi remained in the 'poor' category, with an Air Quality Index of 262 at 9 am. The maximum temperature for the day is expected to reach around 24 degrees Celsius.

An AQI of 0-50 is considered "good," 51-100 "satisfactory," 101-200 "moderate," 201-300 "poor," 301-400 "very poor," and 401-500 "severe."

Delhi Records Warmest January On Sunday In Last 6 Years

On January 19, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 26.1 degrees Celsius, making it the warmest January day in six years. The last higher January maximum was 28.7 degrees Celsius on January 21, 2019.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that the unusual warmth to a change in wind patterns in Delhi caused by a western disturbance. The maximum temperature on Sunday was 6.5 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average, while the minimum was recorded at 9.2 degrees Celsius, 1.6 degrees higher than normal.

 

Pitampura with a maximum of 26.8 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 12.1 degrees Celsius emerged as the hottest area in the city.