No respite for Delhi: ‘Severe’, ‘severe +’ air forecast over next six days

The IMD’s weather inference Sunday stated that jet stream winds of up to 100 knots (185 kmph) prevailed over North India.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Monday as smog or dense to very dense fog conditions are “very likely” to prevail in the morning hours. IMD officials Sunday stated that temperatures are likely to see a gradual dip in the next five days over a majority of the areas in the northwest plain region.

By Sunday night, very dense fog was reported at Palam, according to IMD. As a result, visibility over Palam airport, which was 900 m at 7 am, dropped drastically to 150 m by 11 pm.

The IMD’s weather inference Sunday stated that jet stream winds of up to 100 knots (185 kmph) prevailed over North India. These are fast-flowing narrow bands of strong winds that reach up to speeds over 320 kph. The weather phenomenon over the northern plains can lead to the subsidence of cold air conditions in the region.

Westerlies with wind speeds of 10-16 kmph prevailed. The combined combination of westerlies and stubble burning increases the PM 2.5 pollution load. As a result, according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average PM 2.5 levels crossed 300 micrograms per cubic metre — five times the national prescribed standard — for the first time this season in Delhi.

The maximum temperature saw a slight fall in 24 hours; it was reported at 27.2 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal. The minimum temperature was above normal by four notches at 15.9 degrees Celsius.