Mercury rises to 8.5 degrees C, visibility improves

New Delhi, Dec 14 (UNI) After the dense fog on the last two days which led to low visibility in the capital during the morning hours, the skies cleared up today even as cold Northwesterly winds maintained the chill in the air.

A clear sky welcomed Delhiites with a sharp improvement in visibility this morning. Dense fog had resulted in extremely low visibility in the morning hours in the last two days, leading to a delay in several flights at the Indira Gandhi International airport.

Bright sunlight today led to a rise in the minimum temperature to 8.5 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal.

The rise in the minimum temperature came after a drop in mercury sover the last two days, from 9.2 degrees Celsius on Monday to 8.2 degrees Celsius yesterday.

The maximum temperature rose to 21 degrees Celsius, from 20.8 degrees Celsius yesterday. The chill in the morning air, however, persisted with cold Northwesterly winds sending Delhlites in a shiver.

The chill in the air is likely to persist over the next few days with the weathermen forecasting a drop in mercury in the days ahead under the influence of the Northwesterly winds.

''Night temperatures are likely to drop to near normal in plains of northwest India during the next 2-3 days,''the weather office said.

Mercury could, however, rise from Sunday onwards, under the influence of a fresh western disturbance.

''Night temperatures are likely to rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius over plains of Northwest India with an approach of a fresh western disturbance,''the weather office said.

The Met office has forecast a clear sky with mist or fog in the morning in the capital during the next 24 hours. The minimum temperature tomorrow could fall to 8 degrees Celsius, they added.

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