Light rain, cool breeze sweep Delhi-NCR; IMD predicts cloudy skies, strong winds

NEW DELHI: Delhi-NCR woke up to damp streets and a cool breeze on Thursday morning as light rain and strong winds swept across the city, bringing a noticeable dip in temperature.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi's maximum temperature reached 28.4°C on Wednesday, four degrees above normal. The minimum temperature stood at 10.4°C, slightly below the seasonal average, while humidity levels varied between 29% and 97% during the day.
Cloudy skies and intermittent drizzle are likely until the afternoon, with winds picking up to 20-30 km/h during the day.
The showers are attributed to an active Western Disturbance over northern Pakistan, which is also bringing rain to Punjab, Haryana, North Rajasthan, and Western Uttar Pradesh. Further north, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad are experiencing rain and snowfall, while Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will see scattered snowfall until February 23.
Despite the showers, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording an AQI of 181. Experts caution that while rain and winds may offer temporary relief, pollution levels could rise again as temperatures increase.
IMD predicts clearer skies from February 21, with a gradual rise in temperatures. Over the next few days, maximum temperatures will range between 26°C and 29°C, while minimums will hover between 10°C and 14°C.
Meanwhile, a separate weather system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to bring heavy rain to Northeast India, affecting Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura between February 17 and 23.
According to IITM’s Early Warning System (EWS), cloudy skies, very light rain, and drizzle are expected on Thursday morning and afternoon, with strong surface winds of 20-30 km/h during the day.
IMD forecasts indicate a gradual rise in temperatures after the weekend as winter conditions ease.