Cold wave continues in Delhi, fog conditions dissipate

New Delhi, Jan 4 (UNI) A severe chill continued to send Delhiites "in a shiver" today with the mercury remaining below normal for the second consecutive day even as fog enveloping the skyline over the past three days cleared up.

Though the minimum temperature today slightly rose to 6.2 degrees Celsius from yesterday's 6 degrees C, it was still one degree below normal. Cold Northwesterly winds, coupled with ground frost conditions prevailing over Northwest India, maintained a severe chill in the air.

The maximum temperature at 20.5 degree C was also nearly two degrees below normal.

However, there was considerable abatement in foggy conditions with the dense fog of the past few days being replaced by a slight mist.

There could be some abatement in cold wave conditions in Delhi in the next few days with the weatherman forecasting a likelihood of increase in night temperatures during the next few days.

''Night temperatures are likely to increase leading to abatement of cold wave and frost conditions during next 1-2 days,''the Met office said.

The weekend could, however, witness a return to cold and foggy conditions in the Capital due to fresh snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal and Uttaranchal during the next 24 hours and isolated rainfall over plains of Northwest India tomorrow and on January 6 under the influence of a fresh Western disturbance.

''A western disturbance lies over north Pakistan and neighbourhood. Under its influence, isolated snowfall activity is likely over Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours. The precipitation activity is likely to increase and extend to Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal tomorrow and on January 6. Isolated rain and thundershowers are also likely over plains of northwest India during the same period,''they said.

Consequently, fog conditions are likely to develop over Northwest India from Sunday onwards. There is also expected to be a fall in night temperatures over plains of Northwest India during the same period.

The met office has forecast a mainly clear sky in Delhi and a rise in minimum temperature to 7 degrees C for the next 24 hours.

UNI