Delhi experienced its coldest morning of the season so far on Saturday, January 10, 2026, as the minimum temperature at the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Safdarjung observatory dropped to 4.2 degrees Celsius. This marked a new low for the ongoing winter, surpassing the previous day’s figure of 4.6 degrees Celsius, which had itself set a seasonal record. The reading was 2.7 degrees below the seasonal normal, intensifying the biting cold across the national capital and its surrounding National Capital Region (NCR).

The sharp decline in temperatures has been primarily attributed to dense fog blanketing the region combined with persistent chilly northwesterly winds. These weather patterns have prolonged the cold spell, limiting sunlight and trapping cooler air near the ground. Parts of Delhi-NCR, including Gurugram in Haryana and Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, had received light rain on Friday, which further contributed to the drop in mercury levels. The minimum temperature had stood at 5.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday and 8.6 degrees on Wednesday, reflecting a steady downward trend over the past few days.

This Saturday’s low of 4.2 degrees Celsius is the lowest January minimum recorded in Delhi in two years, though it remains higher than the 3.5 degrees Celsius observed on January 16, 2024. Amateur weather enthusiast Navdeep Dahiya has forecast that no significant western disturbance is expected until at least January 15, suggesting continued cold conditions. He predicted minimum temperatures could fall further to around 3-4 degrees Celsius in the coming days, with daytime maximums likely hovering between 12-15 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung and 10-14 degrees Celsius at Palam.

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The severe chill has led to a notable surge in power consumption as residents turn to electric heaters, geysers, and other appliances to combat the cold. Delhi recorded a peak power demand of 6,087 megawatts on Saturday—the highest ever for the winter period (November to March) and the first time it has crossed the 6,000 MW mark during this season, according to distribution companies. Authorities have urged careful usage to prevent overloads on the grid.

As the cold wave persists, people across the city have sought shelter in homes, public spaces, and designated winter relief camps. The IMD continues to monitor the situation closely, with forecasts indicating that the current spell of intense cold is likely to continue through the middle of the month. Residents are advised to take precautions against the dropping temperatures, including layering clothing and staying indoors during early mornings and late evenings when the chill is most severe.

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