Delhi Experiences Severe Cold as Temperatures Plummet

Delhi is currently facing severe cold conditions, with temperatures dropping to 4.6 degrees Celsius, marking the coldest morning of the season. Light rain has been reported across various parts of the city, contributing to the chill. The India Meteorological Department forecasts that cold wave conditions will persist in the region. Additionally, the air quality remains in the 'very poor' category, raising concerns among residents. This article provides a detailed overview of the current weather situation, temperature trends, and air quality in Delhi, encouraging readers to stay informed about the ongoing winter conditions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 9, 2026, 11:31 IST

Delhi's Winter Weather

Delhi is renowned globally for its biting cold, dense fog, and unpredictable weather changes during winter. The chill is not just a seasonal occurrence but becomes an integral part of life in the city. From late December to mid-January, Delhi faces extreme cold, often influenced by icy winds from the Himalayas, leading to what is termed a 'cold wave.' Today, January 9, 2026, marked the coldest morning of the season, with temperatures dropping to 4.6 degrees Celsius, which is approximately 2.3 degrees below the seasonal average.

Weather Conditions Across the City

Weather stations throughout the city recorded light rain in the early hours, adding to the chill. According to station data, Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees below normal, while Palam noted 5.0 degrees Celsius, which is 1.5 degrees lower than average. Lodhi Road reported a minimum of 5.2 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees below normal, and the Ridge station recorded 5.4 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees lower than usual.

Coldest Areas and Rainfall

Among the monitored stations, Ayanagar was the coldest, with temperatures dropping to 4.8 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees below average. Light rain was recorded at Safdarjung and Lodhi Road in the past 24 hours, while Ayanagar saw 0.8 mm of rainfall. No rainfall was reported at Palam and Ridge stations during this period.

Forecast and Weather Alerts

The regional weather forecasting center predicts light rain in areas such as Akshardham, Lodhi Road, Nehru Stadium, RK Puram, Defense Colony, Lajpat Nagar, Tughlakabad, IGNOU, Ayanagar, and Deramandi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that cold wave conditions are expected to persist in Delhi-NCR and parts of northern and northwestern India in the coming days.

Temperature Trends

The IMD stated, 'This morning is extremely cold, but there is no immediate threat of a cold wave.' The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to hover around 17 degrees Celsius. Thursday recorded the third coldest morning of the season, with Safdarjung's temperature dropping to 5.8 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees below normal. The lowest minimum temperature this season was recorded on December 4 and 5, when it fell to 5.6 degrees Celsius.

Air Quality Concerns

Delhi's first cold day of the year was noted on January 6, with a maximum temperature of 15.7 degrees Celsius, which is 3.3 degrees below average, while the minimum was 7.6 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees lower than normal. The severe cold continued on Wednesday, with a maximum of 16.7 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees below normal, and a minimum of 8.6 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degrees below the seasonal average. A cold day is declared when the minimum temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature falls 4.5 to 6.4 degrees below normal. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remains in the 'very poor' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 325.

Air Quality Index Ratings

Twenty-six monitoring centers reported extremely poor air quality. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good,' 51-100 'satisfactory,' 101-200 'moderate,' 201-300 'poor,' 301-400 'very poor,' and 401-500 'severe.'