October 2020 is the coldest in over 5 decades by recording an average monthly minimum temperature of 17.2 degrees against the normal of 19.1 degrees. A drop of 2 degrees in the monthly average is a solid drop and is seen after a long time. In the last 10 days the daily minimum remained below 15 degrees consistently barring just one day. On 29th October, the base observatory Safdarjung had recorded minimum temperature of 12.5 degrees, the lowest in over 5 decades.
Last year, the average for October was quite high and registered 19.9 degrees, nearly 1deg above normal. Similarly, in the recent past, October 2014 had ended with an average temperature of 20 degrees, again 1 degree above normal. The minimum temperature in October normally range around 22 degrees in the 1st week and close at 17 degrees in the fag end of the month.
There is no respite likely in the coming week and the minimum temperature will continue to hover around 13 degrees or less. Also, with the wind speed picking up from 03rd November onwards, the chill factor will increase and substantial nip in the air is likely in the morning hours. As such in the month of November there is a significant drop from 16 degrees to about 11 degrees by the end of the month. Winter is going to tighten its grip and Delhiites need to brace up for a quivery Diwali.
