Minimum temperature dropped to 3.4 Degrees in Delhi

Delhiites to experience cold waves till January 3

On Thursday, A cold wave swept Delhi as people in the city prepared to step into a chilly New Year with the weather department predicting similar conditions till January 3.

The minimum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory, dropped sharply to 3.4 degrees Celsius, four degrees below normal. On Wednesday it was 8.4 degrees Celsius.

On Thursday, the weather stations at Delhi's Ayanagar and Narela recorded a minimum temperature of 3.8 degrees Celsius and 3.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.

In the plains, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declares a cold wave if the minimum temperature drops to 4 degrees Celsius. A cold wave is also declared when the minimum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius or below and is 4.5 degrees less than normal.

Delhi had experienced cold days on December 20 and 21 when the minimum temperature sticks at 3.2 degrees Celsius, which is the lowest this season so far.

Clouds trap some of the outgoing infrared radiation and radiate it back downward, warming the ground.

The IMD has predicted cold wave to severe chilled wave conditions in northwest India till January 3.

A "severe" cold wave is considered when the minimum temperature dips to two degrees Celsius from the normal temperature.

Rainfall may come in states like Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, north Rajasthan and west UP in between January 5 to January 7.