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).