Delhi-NCR is currently grappling with an icy spell that has left residents shivering and bracing themselves for further cold in the coming days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert until Thursday, warning of dense to very dense fog, a combination that is expected to make the cold feel more severe than actual temperatures suggest.

As of Tuesday, several parts of Delhi experienced “cold day” conditions, a classification used by the IMD when maximum temperatures are abnormally low relative to seasonal averages. At Safdarjung, considered the reference point for Delhi weather, the maximum temperature logged was 15.7°C, about three degrees below normal. Meanwhile, at Palam, the maximum dipped even further to 13°C, six degrees lower than average. This drop has contributed to the icy feel that has prompted local residents to describe the current weather as “almost freezing.”

Dense Fog and Bone-Chilling Winds

Adding to the discomfort is dense fog, which has formed across Northern India and the Indo-Gangetic plains, extending from Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and even West Bengal. Satellite imagery shows the fog as a mixture of surface and upper-level layers, creating overcast conditions across many regions.

Experts have pointed out that Northwesterly winds are amplifying the cold. While fog typically keeps nighttime minimums slightly higher, these icy winds prevent daytime temperatures from rising significantly, keeping maximum temperatures around 12-15°C in central Delhi and 10-14°C in Palam over the next week. Minimum temperatures are projected to hover around 3-4°C, with early morning fog persisting and rising to mid- and upper-levels during the day.

Navdeep Dahiya, an amateur meteorologist, termed this the “Great North Indian ColdBlast”, comparing it to the historic cold wave between December 24, 2019, and January 1, 2020, one of the coldest stretches Delhi has experienced in recent memory.

Why Delhi Feels So Cold

The combination of factors contributing to the current bone-chilling weather includes:

1. Dense fog layers: Surface fog retains some warmth during the night but traps cold at higher levels, limiting daytime heating.
2. Icy Northwesterly winds: These winds originate from the Himalayan region, carrying cold air into the plains. They not only keep maximum temperatures low but also gradually drag the minimum temperatures downward.
3. Seasonal temperature drop: Winter lows have consistently fallen below normal this week. At Safdarjung, the minimum on Tuesday was 7.6°C, a degree above the seasonal average, but cold winds make it feel much lower.

IMD scientist Krishna Mishra explained that a “cold day” is defined when the maximum temperature is below 10°C or when it is 4.5°C lower than the normal maximum, whereas a “severe cold day” occurs when the maximum temperature is at least 6.5°C lower than normal. With the maximum at Palam and Lodhi Road in the range of 13-16°C, Delhi is firmly in cold day territory, and temperatures are expected to remain similarly low in the coming week.

Recent Records and Historical Context

The current spell is one of the coldest stretches in recent years, though not as extreme as December 2019. On December 31, 2019, Delhi recorded a maximum of 14.2°C, the lowest maximum temperature in six years. On December 30, 2019, the city experienced a record 9.4°C maximum, marking the coldest December day in 119 years.

This year’s minimums have not yet reached those historic lows, but with persistent northwesterly winds, temperatures are expected to dip further. Early morning cold is likely to intensify, particularly in areas where fog remains thick and wind speeds pick up.

How Residents Are Coping

Social media has reflected widespread public reaction, with Delhiites describing the current conditions as “almost freezing” and urging others to bundle up. People are taking precautions such as wearing multiple layers, using heaters, and avoiding early morning travel when the fog is densest and visibility is low.

Navdeep Dahiya and other amateur weather trackers have encouraged residents to brace for a sustained cold wave over the next 9-10 days, emphasizing that the combination of fog, low maximum temperatures, and icy winds will make the cold feel harsher than the actual thermometer readings.

Forecast for the Coming Week

According to the IMD and weather enthusiasts, the following trends are expected:

• Maximum temperatures: 12-15°C at Safdarjung, 10-14°C at Palam.
• Minimum temperatures: 3-4°C across most parts of Delhi-NCR.
• Fog: Early morning dense fog, with some areas experiencing fog throughout the day.
• Wind: Cold northwesterly winds, especially in the afternoons, continuing to lower perceived temperatures.

The yellow alert issued by the IMD suggests that dense fog could affect road, rail, and air travel, and residents are advised to remain cautious while commuting.

Northern India Also Bracing for Cold

The chill is not limited to Delhi. The broader Indo-Gangetic plains, including Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, are expected to experience similar or lower temperatures, along with dense fog and reduced visibility. Rural areas may witness temperatures in the single digits during early mornings, making it one of the more severe winter spells this season.

Weather experts have linked the prolonged cold to the interaction of western disturbances with cold air from the Himalayas, creating stagnant, foggy, and icy conditions over much of northern India. This cocktail of meteorological factors is responsible for the bone-chilling feel even when actual temperatures are a few degrees above freezing.

Takeaways

Delhiites should prepare for persistent cold, dense fog, and icy winds over the next week. While actual minimum temperatures may not break historical records, the combination of factors will make the cold feel intense. Authorities are urging commuters to be cautious and residents to layer up to avoid cold-related health issues.

With this winter spell, it is evident that northern India is in for a prolonged cold phase, reminiscent of the extreme chill in late December 2019, though slightly less severe. Dense fog, combined with gusty northwesterly winds, will continue to challenge residents’ comfort levels and commuting safety until mid-January.