Severe Cold Wave Grips Delhi as Temperatures Plummet

Delhi is currently under the grip of a severe cold wave, with temperatures dropping to record lows. The India Meteorological Department has reported that this January has seen the coldest day since 2023, impacting daily life significantly. With air quality remaining poor across the city, residents are advised to take precautions. The forecast indicates that these cold conditions will persist for the next couple of days. Stay informed about the latest weather updates and air quality status in the capital.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 12, 2026, 11:59 IST

Delhi Faces Intense Cold Wave

The national capital, Delhi, is currently experiencing a severe cold wave. On Monday, residents felt the coldest temperatures of the season, with the mercury dropping to around 3 degrees Celsius in several areas, significantly disrupting daily life.

Record Low Temperatures Recorded

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this day marks the coldest of January 2023. The previous record was set on January 16, 2023, when temperatures fell to 1.4 degrees Celsius. Monday morning proved to be particularly chilling for the people of Delhi, with Palam recording a minimum of 3.3 degrees Celsius and Lodhi Road Station hitting 3 degrees Celsius.

Weather Forecast and Air Quality

The IMD reported that the minimum temperature in the Ridge area was 4.2 degrees Celsius, while Ayanagar recorded 3.2 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature is expected to reach 19 degrees Celsius in the capital. The department has indicated that the cold wave conditions are likely to persist for the next two days. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remains in the poor category.

Air Quality Index (AQI) Status

Around 20 monitoring stations in Delhi reported very poor air quality, while others also indicated poor conditions. Nehru Nagar recorded the worst air quality, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 344. The overall AQI for the city was noted at 298, categorizing it as poor. An AQI between 0 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'.