Delhi Records 23.2°C Minimum Temperature as Rain Forecast From October 6
New Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning at Safdarjung, about 0.9 degrees Celsius above normal for this time of year, according to data from the India Meteorological Department. The reading at Safdarjung, the city's base weather station, remained unchanged from Friday, while the capital recorded a moderate Air Quality Index of 171.
Other weather monitoring stations across the capital recorded lower minimum temperatures during the 8:30 am observations. The Ridge registered 20.4 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road recorded 22.4 degrees Celsius, Palam logged 22.6 degrees Celsius, and Ayanagar observed 22.8 degrees Celsius. No rain was recorded at the main stations in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Saturday.
Mainly dry weather is forecast across the region over the next few days before rainfall activity picks up. Under the influence of a western disturbance affecting northwest India, the IMD has predicted isolated to scattered rainfall over Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh between October 6 and October 8.
"Delhi is likely to remain mainly dry over the next few days, with rainfall activity expected to increase from October 6. Isolated to scattered rainfall is likely over Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi from October 6 to 8," an IMD official said.
Weather experts noted that the presence of two consecutive western disturbances could prolong the precipitation across the region into October 9 and October 10. According to the IMD's medium-range forecast, maximum temperatures are expected to stay in the low-to-mid 30s before the wet spell begins.
Meanwhile, the Central Pollution Control Board reported that Delhi's overall air quality remained in the moderate bracket on Saturday morning, measuring an AQI of 171 at 9 am. An AQI reading between 101 and 200 falls within the moderate zone, with PM10 identified as the predominant pollutant driving the reading.
The city's air quality had previously risen to 166 on October 1 from 129 a day earlier. The CPCB also attributed that earlier rise in pollution levels to elevated PM10 concentrations.
