The national capital woke up to a dense cover of fog on Thursday morning, the first for the season, after some instances of moderate fog this winter. Visibility dropped significantly due to the fog even as the meteorological department has forecast winter rain making an appearance this weekend.
Delhi experienced the first thick blanket of fog on Thursday morning that led to flight and train delays as well as slowing down of vehicular traffic. However, by mid-morning, it had cleared as the sun shone bright on a chilly day when the minimum temperature plummeted to 6.6 degrees Celsius. It was one degree below normal.
According to weather experts, Thursday's fog was the first dense fog for this winter and was also widespread in nature. According to Skymetweather.com, for a brief time, during the passage of the systems, winds will become northwesterly in nature resulting in reduction of fog. "Thereafter, a Western Disturbance is approaching the Himalayas tomorrow and will continue to affect the Northern Hills until January 6. In fact, an induced system will also cause rains over the plains of North India inclusive of Delhi and the NCR on the night of January 5 and January 6," it said, adding that thereafter, dense fog will once again make an appearance and the density of fog will remain on the higher side January 7 onward, which will again cause the pollution levels to rise.
Meanwhile, the weather department has forecast light rain over Saturday and Sunday due to an increase in moisture. While this will increase the minimum temperature, maximum temperature is likely to fall to 18 degree Celsius or more, making the days cooler and nights comparatively warmer.
The city also choked on severe air quality on the third day of the new year as experts warned of further deterioration due to upcoming rain. "The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to go up further within the 'severe' range until Friday afternoon," the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) said on Thursday.
The 'severe' air quality is likely to deteriorate further as the India Meteorological Department has forecast light to very light rains from January 5 to 7. "The winter pre-shower conditions which introduce a huge amount of moisture with dense fog is responsible for a peak in the current scenario. Only sufficient rain can bring relief as a little shower only aggravates the situation," SAFAR said.
The overall AQI of Delhi on Thursday was recorded at 444 and pollution levels plunged to 'severe' category with many areas recording Particulate Matter (PM)10 and PM2.5 levels way beyond the safe standard.
AQI STILL IN SEVERE CATEGORY
The ‘severe’ air quality is likely to deteriorate further as the India Meteorological Department has forecast light to very light rains from January 5 to 7
The overall AQI of Delhi on Thursday was recorded at 443 and pollution levels plunged to ‘severe’ category with many areas recording Particulate Matter (PM)10 and PM2.5 levels way
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