New Delhi, January 12, 2026: Delhi is experiencing a severe cold wave as temperatures plunged to 3.2°C on Monday, a sharp 4.2 degrees below the seasonal average, while air quality remains poor and is expected to worsen throughout the day. Authorities have warned that similar icy conditions are likely to persist at least until Wednesday.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Safdarjung recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the city at 3.2°C, closely followed by Palam at 3.3°C and Lodhi Road at 3°C. On Sunday, the mercury had touched 4.8°C at Safdarjung and 3°C at Palam, marking the coldest January readings in 13 years for some areas. The all-time January record at Safdarjung remains -0.6°C, set on January 16, 1935, while the lowest in the past decade was 1.1°C on January 1, 2021.

IMD defines a cold wave as a situation where the minimum temperature falls below 10°C and the departure from normal is 4.5°C or more below average, or when the minimum temperature at a station is 4°C or lower. Multiple weather stations across Delhi met these criteria on Monday, triggering alerts.

Sunshine is expected intermittently, but icy northwesterly winds will keep the maximum temperature subdued, hovering between 18 and 20°C on Monday and 19 to 21°C on Tuesday, according to forecasts. IMD scientist Krishna Mishrasaid the cold wave would likely persist for two more days, affecting daily life in the capital.

The plummeting temperatures have been attributed to a combination of clear skies at night, which accelerate radiative cooling, and cold dry winds from the northwest, as explained by Mahesh Palawat, vice president of private forecaster Skymet Weather.

Meanwhile, air pollution remains a major concern. A 24-hour rolling average AQI of 298 (poor) was recorded at 9 am on Monday, worsening from 291 at 4 pm on Sunday. The Air Quality Early Warning System has predicted that the AQI could move into the “very poor” category in the coming days due to the combination of low temperatures, fog, and stable atmospheric conditions that trap pollutants near the ground.

Residents have been advised to limit outdoor activity, particularly children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions, and to use masks or air purifiers where possible. Authorities are also monitoring weather and pollution trends to provide timely warnings, with health advisories in place for vulnerable groups.

This cold wave comes after a brief warming over the weekend, when Saturday and Sunday recorded maximum temperatures of 20.2°C and 18.8°C, respectively. Experts say that while the skies are clear, the sharp nocturnal drop in temperature is a key feature of North India’s winter weather pattern, especially in urban centers like Delhi where heat retention from buildings and roads can vary sharply.

The next few days are expected to see continued chill, dense fog in the mornings, and poor air quality, which could disrupt transport and outdoor activities. Citizens have been urged to stay updated with weather forecasts and to exercise caution on the roads, particularly during early morning and late evening hours when temperatures are at their lowest.