With temperature soaring to around 26 degrees Celsius, Delhi has been experiencing an unseasonal heat wave for the last few days, marking the warmest in February. This spike in temperature is being attributed to a shift in wind patterns, with relatively warmer southeastern winds sweeping over the city.However, air quality has slid back to ‘very poor’ category, which remains a matter of concern.
Despite a temporary improvement in air quality, the capital's AQI slid back to the 'poor' category from 'moderate.' Meteorologists forecast a slight decline in temperatures over the upcoming days, with northwesterly winds set to bring cooler air, potentially lowering the mercury to around 24 degrees Celsius.
As for the weather conditions, the India Meteorological Department has predicted misty mornings with anticipated maximum and minimum temperatures of 26 and 11 degrees Celsius respectively on Tuesday. Officials warn that Delhi's air quality will likely remain 'poor' until February 12, based on early warning system forecasts.
After staying in the 'poor' to 'moderate' category for almost a week, Delhi's air quality slipped back to 'very poor' category for the second time this month on Wednesday, with an AQI reading of 305, data showed.The last time the Air Quality Index (AQI) was in the 'very poor' category was on February 4 at 339. On Tuesday, the AQI settled at 271 and on Monday it was recorded at 249.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board's classification, an AQI between 0 and 50 is 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.The air quality is likely to be in the 'poor' category from February 12 to 14, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday the day temperatures saw a slight drop.Safdarjung, the city's base monitoring station, recorded a maximum temperature of 27.5 degrees Celsius, 4.1 notches above normal. It was 28.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.Palam station reported a maximum of 25.4 degrees Celsius, while Lodhi Road saw 27.1 degrees, both registering departures of 1.8 degrees and 4.1 degrees, respectively.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), both Ridge and Ayanagar reported a maximum temperature of 27.6 degrees Celsius.The minimum temperature recorded at Safdarjung was 13.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal.The weather office also said that no rainfall was recorded in any part of the city during the 24-hour period ending 5.30 pm, with cumulative rainfall remaining at zero across all stations.
The IMD has also predicted a slight fall in minimum temperatures by one to two degree Celsius during the next two days and rise by two to three degrees Celsius thereafter.
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