Image: AI-Skymet
Delhi/NCR is expected to have pleasant weather conditions on Diwali. The ongoing weather pattern will continue through this week and extend well beyond the next week as well. Since the cessation of rains in Delhi on 7th October, fair weather conditions with pleasantly warm days, mild breeze, and a slight nip in the air during the night have remained the hallmark. There has been a significant drop in mercury levels. The minimum temperature of about 25°C at the start of the month has now been hovering around 18°C for the last three days. It is likely to retain this trend over the weekend and possibly drop further during the next week.
There is no active weather system in the mountains that could have any spillover effect in the plains. Typical morning winter haze is making its presence felt in the early hours and improving quickly thereafter. The day temperature is likely to remain in the low 30s, and the minimum will stay in the high teens for the next few days. A fair amount of sunshine, with a cosy cover of warmth, is likely on Diwali (20th & 21st October).
AQI levels are a little worrisome for Delhi/NCR. Noida leads the table with a very poor AQI, exceeding 300 micrograms per cubic meter for PM 2.5. Ghaziabad and Greater Noida are no better and remain in a similar range of particulate matter. The capital city Delhi is slightly better, but the AQI has been rising consistently for the last few days and remains in the poor category.
Surface and low-level winds are expected to remain light. The minimum temperature of under 20°C will provide a stable and cool layer below the friction level. Under such conditions, air mixing is unlikely, which otherwise improves visibility conditions and the resultant AQI. A combination of light winds, stable layers close to the ground, and localized smog is likely to worsen the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Diwali day and even thereafter. These conditions will deter the dispersion of pollutants. Bursting of crackers, albeit the green ones this time, will add to the deterioration of air quality. However, extensive use of water tankers as sprinklers, truck-mounted anti-smog guns, and mechanical sweepers may help suppress pollutants to a reasonable level.
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