Delhi: The national capital has experienced a noticeable drop in temperatures over the past four days, but it still remains warmer than usual for this time of year. Today, the Safdarjung weather station recorded a minimum temperature of 16.6 degrees Celsius, which is a slight increase from yesterday’s low of 16.5 degrees Celsius, as per a skymet weather report. This is a significant drop from the higher minimum of 21.1 degrees Celsius recorded on 31st October 2024.
There have been big temperature differences across the city; the Ridge observatory reported a low of 13.1 degrees Celsius this morning, which is about 4 degrees Celsius below normal, while Pitampura saw a much warmer 20.6 degrees Celsius, nearly 5 degrees Celsius above the average for this season.
Weather Outlook for November
The typical wintry feel that residents often anticipate is still absent and appears unlikely to arrive soon. According to forecasts for the next five days, November generally begins with minimum temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius but can drop to 10°-11 degrees Celsius by the end of the month. November is usually the driest month in Delhi, with average rainfall measuring less than 4mm. Similarly, neighbouring states like Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan also experience low precipitation during this time, meaning that the winter chill typically settles in only after adequate rain and snow have fallen in the northern mountains.
October 2024 was notably warm across the country, with Delhi experiencing its hottest October in 73 years. The average monthly maximum and minimum temperatures for the national capital were 35.1 degrees Celsius and 21.4 degrees Celsius, respectively, surpassing the normal minimum of 19.1 degrees Celsius. Interestingly, the lowest temperature recorded during October was 17.4 degrees Celsius on the 15th, and there was no rainfall throughout the month.
Future Temperature Trends
Looking ahead, temperatures are expected to remain relatively stable, hovering around 16-17 degrees Celsius for the next few days. An anticyclone over Rajasthan is contributing to the dry northwesterly winds in and around the city. However, a western disturbance is forecasted to arrive on 10th November, which may bring scattered rain and snow to the mid and higher reaches of the mountains between the 10th and 12th. In contrast, the lower areas will likely experience a cloudy sky without precipitation.
As the western disturbance approaches, the existing anticyclone over Rajasthan is anticipated to shift, altering wind patterns to become more variable and light. This change could lead to a slight increase in minimum temperatures once again, further delaying the onset of the winter chill. Typical winter weather in Delhi is now expected to arrive only after mid-November.
As Delhiites await the seasonal transition, it seems the wait for the crisp, cool air of winter will continue just a little while longer.