Delhi sees highest day temperature in January in 6 years, rain likely this week

On Sunday, the minimum temperature was also reported above normal by around two notches at 9.2 degrees Celsius.

Even as the city woke up to a foggy morning, improved wind speed and surge in temperature gave way to a clear sky during the day. However, the air quality showed a declining trend initially as the Capital reported an average air quality index (AQI) of 368 (‘very poor’) against Saturday’s AQI of 255 (‘poor’).

The air quality improved slightly with better wind speed later in the day.

The AQI was in the ‘poor’ category at 7 pm on Saturday, with a reading of 263.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas noted the improving trend and decided to invoke stringent anti-pollution curbs only if the air quality breaches a threshold of 350, said officials.

The IMD said that moderate fog was reported at the Safdarjung observatory, which is representative of the city, on Sunday. The visibility improved from 200 m at 7 am to 300 m at 8 am. Meanwhile, shallow fog was reported at Palam airport. The relative humidity in the Capital oscillated between 71 and 100 per cent on Sunday.

Till Wednesday, moderate fog conditions are expected, said the weather office. Afterwards, rain will likely bring down the maximum temperature sharply to around 20 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature is expected to hover between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius.

The air quality is expected to remain in the lower end of the ‘very poor’ category in the

coming days.