Delhi Gripped by Season’s First Cold Wave as Temperatures Plummet

Delhi shivered through its first official cold wave of 2025 on Saturday. The maximum temperature plunged to 16.9 degrees Celsius. This made it the capital’s coldest December day so far this year.

The India Meteorological Department confirmed the severe conditions. A thick, grey haze and dense fog blanketed the city for most of the day. Visibility dropped sharply, disrupting daily life.

IMD Data Confirms Severe Departure from Normal Temperatures

The cold wave criteria were met at two key monitoring stations. Safdarjung recorded a high of 16.9°C, which is 5.3 degrees below normal. The Palam station was even colder, recording 16.3°C.

According to IMD rules, this qualifies as a cold wave day. The declaration requires a negative temperature departure between 4.5 and 6.4 degrees. This significant drop highlights the intensity of the current weather system.

Fog Disrupts Visibility, Orange Alert Issued for Sunday

Visibility conditions were severely impacted throughout Saturday morning. At 8:30 AM, Safdarjung reported visibility of just 200 meters. Palam recorded 350 meters at the same time.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for dense fog on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to remain low. Authorities advise residents to exercise caution while traveling.

Residents wrapped themselves in layers of clothing to combat the chill. The persistent cold and poor visibility made outdoor activities difficult. The weather department continues to monitor the situation closely.

The capital is bracing for continued cold wave conditions. Further temperature drops and dense fog are expected in the coming days, extending Delhi’s bitter winter spell.

Thought you’d like to know-

What is considered a cold wave in Delhi?

The IMD declares a cold wave when the maximum temperature is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius below the normal range. For plains like Delhi, the minimum temperature must also be 10 degrees or lower.

How did today’s temperature compare to previous years?

Today’s maximum of 16.9°C is colder than recent Decembers. In 2024, the lowest December maximum was 14.6°C. The 2023 low was 15.9 degrees.

What was the visibility like in Delhi today?

Visibility was severely reduced due to fog. Safdarjung reported 200 meters at 8:30 AM. Conditions improved only slightly to 400 meters by the afternoon.

What is the forecast for the next day?

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Sunday. Dense to very dense fog is predicted. Maximum and minimum temperatures may settle around 23°C and 9°C.

Which areas in Delhi recorded the coldest temperatures?

The Safdarjung and Palam monitoring stations both recorded cold wave conditions. Palam was slightly colder, with a maximum temperature of 16.3 degrees Celsius.