New Delhi, March 10 The capital experienced another warm day, with the mercury reaching 35.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, 7.1 degrees above normal. A persistent haze hung over the city, possibly caused by westerly winds carrying dust particles from desert regions.
Mahesh Palawat from Skymet Weather said that westerly winds have picked up speed, blowing at 20-30 kmph over the city, bringing dust from the deserts of Balochistan and Rajasthan to northwestern India.
"This dust likely contributed to the recent increase in the AQI and the hazy conditions, as the particles remained suspended in the lower atmosphere after wind speeds decreased," Palawat said.
He also said that temperatures are expected to remain high this year, with hotter summers.
"Around March 14 and 15, there may be some relief from light pre-monsoon showers due to increased humidity in parts of Delhi. Pre-monsoon rains generally begin towards the end of March or early April, but the current weather pattern may bring these showers earlier," Palawat said.
According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature at Safdarjung stood at 35.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while the minimum was recorded at 18.8 degrees Celsius, 4.8 degrees above normal.
Station-wise data showed the maximum at 34.4 degrees Celsius at Palam observatory, 35.6 degrees Celsius at Lodhi Road, 35.6 degrees Celsius at Ridge, and 35.8 degrees Celsius at Ayanagar.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 18.8 degrees Celsius at Palam and Lodhi Road, 19.6 degrees Celsius at Ridge, and 18.4 degrees Celsius at Ayanagar.
The weather office has forecast a partly cloudy sky for Wednesday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to settle around 37 degrees Celsius and 18 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Meanwhile, the city's air quality remained in the 'poor' category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 265, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
According to the CPCB classification, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.
The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has forecast 'poor' air quality for Wednesday, which may improve to the 'moderate' category on March 12-13.