Rain, thundershower To Intercept Fog In Delhi, Lengthy Wet Spell Likely

National capital was seized with freeze and fog for the last one week. Dense fog persisted today morning as well. Such prolonged spell is not very common.  While December 2021 was dominated with cold wave conditions in the later half, January 2022 had a long haul of cold days.

The 2^nd half of December witnessed 4 cold wave days with minimum temperature touching threshold of 4°C or less, and lowest of 3.2°C recorded on 20^thDec2021. Month of January 2022 has not recorded even a single day of mercury lowering to 4°C or below. Contrarily, the month so far, has observed 7 days with maximum temperature hovering around 16°C or less, as recorded at base observatory Safdarjung.

However, minimum temperature during this period remained < 10°C, and therefore clocked 7 cold days in a row. Some other parts of Delhi, specially Narela and Ayanagar observed 10 cold days between 08^th and 19^thJan2022. Such a prolonged cold spell has gripped the national capital after nearly 25 years, as the last on the list was witnessed in 1997.

Day temperature eased out yesterday, albeit marginally, to land up in high teens after 10^thJan.  Significant change in the weather conditions look evident with mercury taking a big swing. Diurnal variation is likely to shrink, with the minimum inching towards double digit and maximum remaining in mid teens. Cloudy skies, windy days, interspersed with winter showers, are likely to clamp down the city and surrounding areas for nearly 4 days.

An active western disturbance over the mountains and its induced cyclonic circulation over the plains of North India, is going to set the weather activity in motion over large parts, including Delhi.  Wet spell of 4 days is expected to lash Delhi and neighborhood between 21^st and 24^thJan 2022. Thick clouds are likely to appear towards late evening or tonight.

Rain and showers can be expected in the late night hours or wee hours of Saturday. Complete weekend on 22^nd and 23^rdJan, may dampen the spirits a bit on account of intermittent rain and thundershower, which may as well be frequent on both the days. The spill over effect could be witnessed on Monday also. There is a chance of some areas having mild hailstorm on 22^nd and 23^rd Jan.

After the passage of system, deep freeze is expected to capture the city and suburbs, commencing 24^thJan and lasting for remaining days of the month. Dense fog will make a comeback restricting sunshine, even on the Republic Day. Rain free Republic Day celebrations remain the highlight for the national capital. Biting cold in the morning hours will give way to sunshine later to step up the mercury levels to high teens.