Delhi Records Season's Coldest Night at 12.7 Degrees Celsius: First Drop Below 15-Degree Mark This Winter

Delhi has experienced its coldest night of the current winter season with temperatures dropping to 12.7 degrees Celsius, marking the first instance this winter when the minimum temperature fell below 15 degrees Celsius.

This temperature reading stands three degrees below the seasonal average and represents a significant decline from the previous day's 18.4 degrees Celsius, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The maximum temperature in the city reached 27.4 degrees Celsius, which is 3.1 degrees below normal for this time of year, as confirmed by IMD reports.

At the Palam monitoring station, officials recorded a maximum temperature of 24.9 degrees Celsius, measuring 5.9 degrees below the seasonal average.

Meteorological experts attribute this sudden temperature drop to cold northwesterly winds flowing into Delhi following recent snowfall in the western Himalayas. The clear night skies have further enhanced radiational cooling, intensifying the chill.

Mahesh Palawat, vice president of meteorology and climate change at Skymet, a private weather forecasting service, explained: "Cold northwesterly winds are now affecting the region after fresh snowfall in the hills, which is directly impacting the minimum temperature."

Before this record low, the lowest temperature this year was 15.8 degrees Celsius, recorded on October 26.

Historical data indicates that Delhi's minimum temperatures typically drop below 10 degrees Celsius by late November.

In previous years, Delhi recorded minimum temperatures of 9.5 degrees Celsius on October 29 last year, 9.2 degrees Celsius on October 23 in 2023, and 7.3 degrees Celsius on October 29 in 2022, suggesting a slightly delayed onset of winter conditions this year.

The Meteorological Department has forecasted predominantly clear skies for Friday, with expected maximum temperatures between 27 and 32 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures ranging from 12 to 14 degrees Celsius.