3.7ºC: Winds sweep city to season’s lowest

The maximum temperature,too,dipped to 12.7 degrees,the lowest maximum for this winter.

While the weatherman had earlier predicted cold November and December,the two months had near-normal temperatures. The chill,however,has begun to set in in the New Year.

The present weather has been dubbed as “cold day conditions” that,according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD),occur when the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius and is below normal. The Met department has also predicted that there will be no respite from the cold over the next two days.

What is adding to the city’s misery is the fact that even day temperatures are very low. For the last three days,the day temperatures have remained 5 to 6 degrees below normal due to the chilly winds. Winds plays an important role and bring down the actual temperature,depending upon their speed. For the last one week,the Capital has witnessed winds at speeds of 10 to 15 km/hr.

“The present cold day conditions are because of a Western Disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir. Delhi and neighbouring areas also have dry weather,which means there is no moisture to retain the heat at night,” said the Officer on Duty at the Safdarjung Met department.

Rain towards the end of December had pulled up the moisture level,keeping the night temperatures higher.

Cold nights in Capital
NOVEMBERwas a mixture of cold and warm days. The month began with near-normal maximum temperatures,but rains and lack of sunshine led to a dip thereafter. The minimum temperatures remained markedly above normal from 12th to 27th. November 29 recorded the lowest of 9.9ºC.

DECEMBERbegan on a warm note. Day temperatures were as high as 22 to 24ºC till Christmas eve,after which began the downward slide. The month ended with the maximum temperature at 19.2º C,two degrees below normal. Winter rains pushed up the minimum temperatures.