National capital inched closer to psychological mark of 6°C today morning. Record observatory at Safdarjung measured minimum temperature of 6.2°C, fresh lowest of the season, so far. Earlier, the city had clicked low of 6.5°C on 11Dec2023. Meteorological office at Lodhi Road was a shade lower at 6.1°C, while the lowest in the region was Mungeshpur with 6.0°C. Mercury level is about 3°C lower than the normal in many parts of the capital and this was for 2nd successive day of this week.
A weak western disturbance is arriving over the mountains on 16thDec, Saturday. The weather system will largely affect the higher hills only. However, it is likely to alter the winds in the lower levels of atmosphere over the plains, including Delhi. Slowing down and small change in direction may arrest any further fall now and it may rise marginally on 16th & 17thDec. After the passage of western disturbance, mercury may dip once again on 18th Dec. The lowest may touch around 5-6°C between 18th and 20thDecember 2023.
Delhi temperature has generally remained below the average for the last about seven days. The first half of the month has gone dry . Similar conditions may go on for the next one week or so. Though, a little early to predict, meteorological conditions may build up for a decent spell of winter rains, slightly before Christmas. In anticipation of the weather system, mercury may show a rising trend from 21st December onward. Clouding and rain will follow later and the next weekend may break the jinx of dry December, so far.
