Delhi Weather Explained: Warm Day Ahead, Air Quality Stays Moderate

Delhi residents woke up to a warmer morning on Wednesday, with the minimum temperature at Safdarjung, the city’s base weather station, settling at 25°C. The reading was 2.7 degrees above normal for this time of the year. The India Meteorological Department said the maximum temperature is likely to reach 36.8°C, indicating another warm day for the capital.

Temperatures varied across different parts of the city. Palam recorded a minimum of 22.5°C, which was 0.2 degrees above normal, while Lodhi Road recorded 23.8°C, 2.8 degrees above normal. The Ridge recorded the lowest minimum temperature among the stations at 20°C, which was 2.5 degrees below normal. Ayanagar recorded a minimum of 23.5°C, 1.5 degrees above normal.

No rainfall was recorded at any of Delhi’s weather stations during the 24 hours preceding Wednesday morning. With the maximum temperature forecast to approach 36.8°C, weather conditions are expected to remain predominantly warm through the day. The variation in minimum temperatures across weather stations reflected differences in local conditions, with some areas recording readings above the seasonal average and others remaining cooler.

Also Read: Delhi Records Coldest September Morning in 18 Years: Rain and Cloud Cover Behind Dip

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the moderate category on Wednesday. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed the city’s AQI at 133 at 10.05 am. Although the reading remained within the moderate range, air quality has fluctuated in recent days, with the 24-hour average AQI recording 166 on October 1, 174 on October 2 and 171 on October 3.

The city’s 24-hour average AQI subsequently worsened to 187 on Sunday before improving slightly to 184 on Monday and 179 on Tuesday. Tuesday’s average remained in the moderate category, indicating that pollution levels had eased somewhat from the previous two days. Wednesday morning’s AQI reading of 133 showed further improvement at that point in the day, although air quality conditions can change as the day progresses.

The combination of rising temperatures and moderate air quality is expected to shape weather conditions in the capital on Wednesday. While the maximum temperature is forecast to remain below 37°C, the minimum temperature at Safdarjung was already above the seasonal normal. At the same time, the latest pollution readings indicate some improvement compared with the higher levels recorded earlier in the week.

Also Read: IMD Expects Below-Normal October Rain After Monsoon Ends With 13% Deficit