Cold wave conditions persisted in states across north India, including the national capital which settled at a freezing 4.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest this season. The India Meteorological Office (IMD) has predicted that the city’s minimum temperature may go up to 4 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 4.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. The cold wave has also hit Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and other states. Jammu and Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Wednesday. The Regional Meteorological Centre, Delhi, predicted that Thursday will be “mainly clear sky with cold wave conditions at limited places. Mist/haze is likely in the morning. Mist/haze is likely in the evening/night. The maximum and minimum temperatures will hover around 23 and 04 degrees Celsius respectively.” The minimum temperature in early December was below 5 degrees Celsius for the first time in 14 years, news organisation PTI reported, citing the weather office. According to IMD, the lowest minimum temperature during this period was recorded at 4.1 degrees Celsius on December 6, 1987.
Cold wave forecast in Delhi
For December 12, the weather department forecast, “Mainly clear sky and cold wave conditions at isolated places. Surface wind is likely to blow from northwest direction at speed of less than 8 kmph during morning hours. Mist/hizzle is likely during morning hours. Thereafter, wind speed will increase, blowing from northwest direction at speed of less than 16 kmph during evening hours. Thereafter, wind speed will decrease, blowing from northwest direction at speed of less than 8 kmph during evening and night hours. Mist/hizzle is likely during evening/night.” While for December 13, it forecast, “Mainly clear sky and cold wave conditions at isolated places. Surface wind is likely to be from northwesterly direction at speed less than 8 kmph during morning hours. Mist/hizz is likely during morning hours. Wind speed will gradually increase reaching 10-12 kmph from northwesterly direction during evening hours. It will decrease thereafter, becoming less than 8 kmph from northwesterly direction during evening and night hours. Mist/hizz is likely during evening/night.” During the next two days, minimum temperatures over east India are expected to fall steadily by 2-3°C without any significant change, while minimum temperatures over west India are expected to rise gradually by 2-3°C.