Delhi recorded a low temperature of 6.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday, breaking the previous November record of 7.3 degrees Celsius seen in 2006, records from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) showed.
On Sunday, the Safdarjung Observatory, which is the city’s official marker, recorded a low temperature of 6.9 degrees Celsius, 4 degrees below normal. At Lodhi Road, the minimum temperature dropped even further — to register 6.4 degrees Celsius — while the minimum temperature at the Aaya Nagar Observatory was 6.8 degrees Celsius.
IMD data shows that Delhi recorded 7.3 degrees Celsius on November 28, 2006. It was the previous record for the lowest minimum temperature since IMD began keeping data for 1990. The lowest minimum temperature was recorded on November 28, 1938, when the minimum temperature dropped to just 3.9 degrees Celsius.
IMD scientists have warned that this time the capital will likely have a colder than usual winter this year, due to a Pacific Ocean weather phenomenon known as La Niña, which cascades into global climate in the months of winter.
During La Niña, temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean drop below normal levels, triggering wind patterns that can influence weather in distant regions. This has been linked to colder winters than usual in northwestern India.
“Both the maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to remain around 2-2.5 ° C below normal throughout the season. Also, since winter is approaching early with already low temperatures, the minimum is likely to drop to 5-6 ° C starting December 10. This usually happens after December 20, ”said Kuldeep Srivastava, head of IMD’s regional weather forecast center (RWFC).
He added that daytime temperatures, or maximum temperature, will begin to drop in early December.
Local factors have also contributed to the colder days. Delhi has had a clean streak, with only one western disturbance so far bringing moisture. “When there are no clouds, the ground cools faster and minimum temperatures stay low,” explained Srivastava.
On Friday, Delhi recorded a low temperature of 7.5 ° C, five levels below normal and the lowest temperature in November in 14 years. On Saturday it rose slightly to 8.5 ° C, while the maximum was 24.6 ° C.
Experts said a western disturbance on November 23 will briefly cause temperatures to rise slightly. Once that happens, the days and nights will get colder again.
“When global conditions like La Niña prevail, there is a tendency for the regions under northwestern India to cool down,” said VK Soni of IMD’s environmental monitoring research center.
Soni added that currently the fall in mercury is accompanied by strong winds that help remove pollutants, but after November 23, the wind speed is likely to slow down and cause deterioration in air quality.
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