The temperatures in Delhi and parts of northern India have started to dip with Fatehpur in Rajasthan recording sub-zero temperature. The minimum temperature dropped to 4.9 degrees Celsius in Delhi on Sunday, 3.1 notches below the normal nighttime temperature.
Earlier on Saturday, the minimum temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 0.2 notches below normal, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The IMD has forecast moderate fog for Monday, with the maximum temperature expected to remain at 23 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature reaching 5 degrees Celsius. The city AQI remained in the 'poor' category, with a reading of 294 at 4 pm.
Temperature Dips Below Zero Degrees
Rajasthan saw cold wave conditions in most parts of the state on Sunday with Fatehpur recording sub-zero minimum temperature for the third consecutive day.
According to the Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature in Fatehpur settled at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Churu was 1.6 degrees, Bhilwara 2.2 degrees, Sangaria, Pilani and Sirohi 2.6 degrees, Chittorgarh 3.2 degrees, and Alwar 4 degrees.
Shimla Warmest At 12.2 Degrees
Though intense cold wave conditions gripped the lower hills of Himachal Pradesh, the higher reaches of the hilly state remained warmer with the minimum temperature rising by three to five degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Shimla was the warmest during night, recording a minimum temperature of 12.2 degrees Celsius, 6.5 degrees above normal.
Meanwhile, Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest at minus 10.6 degrees Celsius. Shimla's adjoining tourist resorts Kufri and Narkanda recorded minimum temperature at 9.8 degrees Celsius and 6.4 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The local MeT office has issued a yellow warning of cold wave at isolated places in the lower hills and plain areas till Thursday, besides dry weather in the state over the next seven days.
Cold Wave In Punjab, Haryana
Cold weather conditions continued to grip Punjab and Haryana, with Faridkot being the coldest place in the region at a minimum temperature of one degree Celsius.
In Punjab, Gurdaspur and Bathinda also experienced chilly nights with a minimum temperatures of two degrees Celsius and 4.6 degrees Celsius. Pathankot registered a low of 3.5 degrees Celsius, while Amritsar shivered at 3.9 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, Ludhiana logged a minimum temperature of 6.8 degrees Celsius and Patiala registered a low of 3.8 degrees Celsius. In Haryana, Hisar recorded a chill of 1.7 degrees Celsius while Narnaul registered a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius.
Respite From Intense Cold Wave In Kashmir
Kashmir saw a slight respite from the intense cold wave conditions as minimum temperatures rose across the valley, though they remained below the freezing point. The summer capital, Srinagar, recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, an improvement from minus 4.6 degrees Celsius the previous night.
It said that Gulmard, a tourist destination popular for skiing, registered a minimum of 3.8 degrees Celsius, marking a rise of nearly four degrees. Pahalgam, the base camp for annual Amarnath Yatra, logged a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, three degrees higher than the previous night.