New Delhi | January 9, 2026

Delhi experienced a sharp dip in temperatures on Friday, with the mercury falling to 4.6°C, 2.3 degrees below the normal for this time of year. The city also witnessed deteriorating air quality, fog-induced flight delays, and intermittent rain, adding to the challenges faced by residents. Meteorological officials have issued advisories for continued cold, poor air quality, and moderate to dense fog in several areas over the weekend.

Cold Wave: Lowest Minimum in Two Years

The minimum temperature of 4.6°C recorded on Friday was the lowest in the last two years for the month of January, with the previous record being 3.5°C on January 16, 2024. On Thursday, the city had recorded a minimum of 5.8°C. Meteorologists expect the mercury to remain between 5°C and 7°C on Saturday, while daytime temperatures are likely to rise slightly to around 16-18°C on Friday, with further dips possible over the weekend.

The cooler temperatures have been attributed to a Western Disturbance influencing the region, bringing intermittent rainfall, fog, and chilly winds from the northwestern plains. Authorities have cautioned that the combination of low temperatures and high pollution levels could aggravate health risks, particularly for the elderly, children, and people with respiratory conditions.

Light Rain, Fog Disrupt Daily Life

Intermittent light rain or drizzle was expected in isolated parts of Delhi on Friday morning, with areas such as Mundaka, Paschim Vihar, Rajouri Garden, Buddha Jayanti Park, Jafarpur, Najafgarh, Dwarka, and Palam likely to see wet conditions. Trace rainfall was recorded at Safdarjung and Lodhi Road until 8:30 am, while Ayanagarreceived 0.8 mm of rain between 11:30 pm on Thursday and 2:30 am on Friday.

A yellow alert for moderate to dense fog remains in effect, and officials have warned of low visibility affecting road and air travel. Fog has already caused delays to at least 140 flights, prompting airlines to adjust schedules and alert passengers to expect disruptions.

Air Quality Worsens to “Very Poor”

The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorated sharply to 325 (very poor) at 8 am on Friday, compared to the 24-hour average of 280 (poor) recorded at 4 pm on Thursday and 289 on Wednesday. Residents were advised to avoid outdoor physical activity, wear masks if venturing outside, and take precautions against respiratory ailments.

The Air Quality Early Warning System indicated that while air quality is expected to improve by the weekend, it will likely remain in the poor category for the coming week. Factors contributing to pollution include vehicular emissions, industrial activity, and stagnant cold air, which traps pollutants near the ground.

Health and Safety Advisory

Authorities urged citizens to take precautionary measures given the combined impact of cold, fog, and poor air quality. Recommendations include:

• Avoiding unnecessary travel during foggy conditions.
• Wearing masks outdoors to minimize inhalation of pollutants.
• Keeping vulnerable groups indoors, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses.
• Using humidifiers indoors to reduce the dryness caused by cold air.

Transport authorities have also deployed additional resources to ensure safe road travel, and airlines continue to monitor weather conditions closely to minimize disruptions at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Outlook for the Weekend

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts shallow to moderate fog over the next few days, with intermittent light rain likely in certain parts of the city. Daytime temperatures are expected to hover around 16-18°C, while nighttime temperatures could remain in the range of 4-7°C. Citizens are advised to stay updated with official weather advisories as conditions remain unpredictable.

The combination of cold, poor air quality, and fog has made early January mornings particularly challenging in Delhi, with officials stressing that residents must remain vigilant about health, travel, and pollution-related precautions.