Key Points
- Himalayan Alert: Heavy snowfall and rain predicted for Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand from February 9 to 11.
- Delhi Weather: Temperatures in the capital are expected to hover between and, with chilly winds persisting despite clear skies.
- Air Quality: Delhi-NCR’s AQI remains in the ‘poor’ category, recorded at 213 on Saturday morning, with expectations to stay in this range due to low wind speeds.
- Plains Update: Sikar, Rajasthan, recorded a low of, while a new weather system is set to become active in the region from February 8.
The meteorological landscape across India is shifting once again as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) monitors the activity of two new Western Disturbances. While daytime temperatures in Delhi-NCR have shown a gradual rise, the influence of cold winds from the snow-clad mountains continues to maintain a winter chill. The IMD has issued a fresh alert for the Himalayan regions, where intense snowfall and rain are expected to disrupt normal life and tourism early next week.
In the national capital, Saturday’s maximum temperature is projected to settle at, while the minimum will remain around. Although residents can expect mild sunshine, the persistent cold winds blowing across the plains will ensure that the morning and evening hours remain significantly chilly.
Pollution Levels and Fog in Delhi-NCR
The air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be a concern, remaining firmly in the ‘poor’ category. On Saturday morning, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an overall AQI of 213, though some monitoring stations like Anand Vihar saw levels as high as 260. Light fog is also predicted across the NCR region during the early hours, which may impact visibility on major highways.
Himalayan Snowfall and Thunderstorm Warnings
The IMD has advised residents and tourists in hilly states to exercise caution as a potent weather system moves in. Heavy snowfall and rain are anticipated in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh between February 9 and 11. Specifically, on February 10, the region may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour.
Himachal Pradesh is already under a warning for dense fog during morning and night hours through February 8, with minimum temperatures in some districts plunging to between and.
Conditions in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar
The plains of Rajasthan have seen some relief as daytime temperatures crossed the mark, yet the night remains bitter. Sikar recently recorded a minimum temperature of, making it one of the coldest spots in the plains. A fresh Western Disturbance is expected to activate over Rajasthan starting the night of February 8, potentially bringing cloud cover and a slight dip in mercury.
In Uttar Pradesh, a change in wind direction is funneling cold air from the mountains, leading to a drop in night temperatures and the persistence of dense fog in the eastern and western districts. Similarly, in Bihar, while the daytime sun provides some warmth, morning mist and fog continue to slow down rail and road traffic across the state.
