Delhi woke up to a layer of dense fog reducing visibility to zero, this morning. Rail, road and air traffic was affected resulting in delays diversions and cancellations. However, it is brightened up early in the noon hours with a fair amount of sunshine. Day temperatures will be in the comfort zone, rising above 20°C, in the late afternoon.
The national capital and suburbs had decent winter showers the last two days. The base observatory recorded rainfall of 27mm and 1mm during the last two days. It has already crossed the monthly average, in the early days. However, it is still not ‘done and dusted’. More showers are in the offing. The weekend and the start of next week will find the second round of rains, spreading across the capital city and NCR.
The western disturbance and the induced cyclonic circulation have largely vacated the northern parts and the remnant effect is confined to the higher hills only. Another western disturbance is following closely this system and a fresh western disturbance will approach the Western Himalayas, tomorrow. Like the previous system, induced cyclonic circulation will come up over Punjab and North Rajasthan. An east-west trough from the centre of circulation will extend up to southwest Uttar Pradesh, passing very close to Delhi. The trough will be ideally placed to trigger another round of winter showers commencing late hours tomorrow.
Juxta position of the western disturbance and cyclonic circulation will slow down the respective movement. A sheet of clouds, embedded with rain drops will stay over the capital for nearly three days. The weather activity will start tomorrow evening and become more persistent the next day, Sunday. Intensity and spread will match the recent event on 31st Jan, with rain and thundershowers spanning across Delhi/NCR for sufficient duration. The combined influence of the two weather systems will weaken the plains, including Delhi, the next day, on Monday. However, fair amount of chance for Delhi to continue with the wet spell, albeit intermittently and with less vigour, in the next two days. Broad clearance can be expected from 07th Feb onwards.
In the wake of the system, thick fog will make a comeback. Also, the cold winds from the slopes of the mountains will sweep the plains, reaching right up to Delhi. The minimum temperatures will dip once again. Cold-wave conditions are quite likely. Bitter cold with typical winter chill will last for at least one week or so. Abatement follows with the arrival of the fresh weather system. And, there is no indication of any such disturbance till the middle of the month.
