Unseasonal Showers Worsen Cold Wave Conditions Across Delhi-NCR

Delhi-NCR grappled with heightened cold wave intensity on Friday as unseasonal rainfall swept through parts of Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram, further aggravating the already severe chill across the region. A blanket of dense fog persisted throughout the morning, reducing visibility and adding to the discomfort, while the national capital logged its coldest minimum of the season at 4.6 degrees Celsius at the Safdarjung observatory, signaling a notable escalation in winter rigor.

The unexpected showers disrupted daily routines amid plummeting temperatures, coming just a day after Thursday's minimum of 5.8 degrees Celsius, which had ranked as the third lowest reading of the winter so far. Maximum temperatures across various monitoring stations stayed well below seasonal averages, sustaining a pervasive sharp chill that dominated the previous day and extended into Friday.

Delhi ushered in 2026 under relentless cold wave conditions accompanied by thick fog enveloping the city from the outset. The first officially recognized cold day occurred on January 6, characterized by a maximum temperature significantly suppressed and a minimum settling at 7.6 degrees Celsius, dipping 0.7 degrees below the normal mark.

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This was swiftly followed by another cold day on January 7, where the maximum reached only 16.7 degrees Celsius—2.3 degrees under normal—paired with a minimum of 8.6 degrees Celsius, reflecting a deviation of 1.7 degrees from the seasonal average. These consecutive events highlight the early onset of extreme winter patterns in the new year.

Per India Meteorological Department guidelines, a cold day is designated when the minimum temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, or alternatively, when the maximum falls 4.5 to 6.4 degrees below established norms. Through the initial days of 2026, Delhi has already experienced at least two such classified cold days, with the latest frigid conditions and rainfall suggesting potential for additional severe spells ahead.

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