NEW DELHI: The national capital recorded a low of 7.5 degrees Celsius on Friday, the lowest minimum temperature in November in at least 14 years, according to data from the Indian Meteorological Department.
The city also witnessed cold wave conditions, as the minimum temperature was less than 10 degrees Celsius and five levels below normal, according to Mahesh Palawat, an expert with Skymet Weather, a private forecasting agency.
For the plains, the IMD declares a cold snap when the minimum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius or less and is 4.5 notches lower than normal for two consecutive days.
According to the meteorological department, 7.4 degrees Celsius is Delhi’s lowest minimum temperature in November in at least 14 years.
Delhi recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 11.5 degrees Celsius last year, 10.5 degrees Celsius in 2018 and 7.6 degrees Celsius in 2017 in the month of November.
The all-time record for the lowest minimum temperature in November is 3.9 degrees Celsius recorded on November 28, 1938.
Palawat said cold winds blowing from the snow-laden western Himalayas have caused a drop in mercury and a similar situation will continue through Saturday.
A new western unrest approaches northwest India on November 23. The minimum temperature is likely to rise at some points, he said.
The low temperature this month, except for November 16, has remained 2-3 degrees Celsius below normal in the absence of a cloud layer, according to IMD officials.
Clouds trap some of the outgoing infrared radiation and radiate it downward, heating the ground.
On Thursday, the city recorded a low of 9.4 degrees Ceslius.
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