Dry Weather To Continue In Delhi: Cold Day Conditions Likely
Key Takeaways
- Delhi has remained largely rain-free for over 90 days, an unusual winter trend.
- Persistent fog in suspension is suppressing daytime temperatures.
- Cold day conditions are being observed across multiple observatories.
- No rainfall or major weather change is expected in the coming days.
Delhi has witnessed a prolonged dry weather spell this winter season. Post the timely withdrawal of the monsoon, there was a decent spell during the first week of October. Scattered showers over the city were last recorded on 07 October 2025. Practically, dry weather conditions have prevailed for over 90 days. There was a very light sprinkle, but no measurable rainfall, on 01 January 2026 in isolated pockets like Palam and neighbourhood areas. It is rather unusual for the national capital to observe such a long dry spell. November, December and January, put together, have a normal rainfall of about 32 mm, and the beginning is yet to be made. The jinx may continue further for at least the next 10 days or so.
The special feature of Delhi’s weather this winter has been extended spells of fog in suspension. In such conditions, horizontal surface visibility looks good, but the sky remains in an obscured state and vertical visibility is nearly indiscernible. This phenomenon blocks sunshine during the day and even restricts the escape of radiation at night. Under such a scenario, day temperatures remain suppressed and minimum temperatures also do not drop sharply.
Following up from the last few days of December 2025, the first seven days of January have also witnessed similar conditions. The average minimum temperature for the first week of January 2026 has been 8.3°C against the pentad normal of 7°C. However, day temperatures have persistently remained below normal, increasing the chill factor during the daytime. Many observatories in the Delhi area, including Palam, Ayanagar, Ridge and Jafarpur, have registered day maximum temperatures below 15°C. Jafarpur was the lowest at 11.7°C, followed closely by the airport observatory at Palam with 13°C, a significant 6°C below normal. Minimum temperatures, as such, are below 10°C at all places and therefore qualify for cold day conditions in many pockets.
There is no active weather system likely to affect the plains of North India or the mountains over the next one week or so. No major change is expected in the prevailing winter pattern over Delhi. With an increased nip in the air, minimum temperatures may drop further, while maximum temperatures are expected to hover in the low to mid-teens. Cold day conditions may intensify and spread spatially as well. Rainfall is unlikely during this period.
