Delhi shivers at 12.2° C, recorded to be the coldest day in 22 years

Tuesday was bitingly cold in Delhi. It was so chilly that the temperature recorded at 2pm was only 1.8 degrees more than that recorded at 3am, making the day the coldest in 22 years.

The maximum temperature on Tuesday was 12.2 degrees Celsius, while the minimum was 10.4 degrees Celsius, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Scientists said Tuesday’s day temperature hit the lowest since December 28,1997, when the maximum (day) temperature had touched 11.3 degrees Celsius.

A reason for the severely cold day was the cold north-westerly winds blowing in from the snow-clad Himalayas. Experts said apart from that, a layer of clouds was stopping the sunlight from reaching the ground, making the day colder.

“There is a possibility of a cold wave from Wednesday owing to the upcoming western disturbance,” the scientist said.

Despite the fog and dip in temperature, the air quality improved on Tuesday with the air quality index touching 168, in the ‘moderate’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).