New Delhi, February 9 Delhi experienced its warmest day so far in February, with the maximum temperature reaching 26.7 degrees Celsius on Monday, 3.4 degrees above the normal, while weather experts predict that temperatures may dip slightly over the next two to three days.
Meanwhile, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped into the 'poor' category following a slight improvement on Sunday, when the AQI was recorded in the 'moderate' range.
The minimum temperature was 9.4 degrees Celsius, which is in line with the seasonal average.
Data from individual weather stations showed that Palam recorded a maximum temperature of 24.5 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road 25.0 degrees Celsius, Ridge 25.3 degrees Celsius, and Ayanagar 26.4 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperatures at these stations were recorded at 9.8 degrees Celsius, 9.4 degrees Celsius, 10.8 degrees Celsius, and 8.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather said that the recent rise in temperature was due to a change in wind patterns. "Currently, winds are blowing from the southeastern side, which are relatively warmer, and the wind speeds have also decreased, leading to higher temperatures," he said.
He added that a dip in temperatures is expected in the next couple of days, with maximum temperatures likely to remain between 25 and 26 degrees Celsius.
"However, after two to three days, temperatures may drop to around 24 degrees Celsius or slightly lower, as colder winds from the western Himalayas will start influencing the region," he said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast mist during the morning hours on Tuesday, with the minimum temperature expected to hover around 11 degrees Celsius and the maximum around 26 degrees Celsius.
The 24-hour average AQI stood at 249 at 5 pm on Monday, in the 'poor' category, marking a deterioration from Sunday when air quality was logged in the 'moderate' range at 189.
The air quality is likely to remain in the 'poor' category until February 12, according to the air quality early warning system.
The AQI was recorded at 216 at 9 am, also 'poor'. Data from the CPCB's SAMEER app showed that air quality at 25 monitoring stations was in the 'poor' category, while 12 stations recorded a 'moderate' AQI.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between zero 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'.
