Weather Update: Dense Fog Reduces Visibility In Delhi NCR Today, Minimum Temperature May Drop To 7 Degrees; Wi

Dense fog blanketed Delhi-NCR on the morning of January 31, causing low visibility across several areas. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), minimum temperatures are expected to remain between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius over the next few days.

Visibility is likely to remain poor during early morning hours, especially till around 8-9 am, affecting road traffic, trains and flight operations.

Rain and Cold Winds Likely Over the Weekend

On January 30, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 26.7 degrees Celsius, which was 4-5 degrees higher than normal for this time of year. However, weather conditions are set to change as a fresh western disturbance begins to influence the region.

IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall across Delhi-NCR from January 31 to February 2. Thunderstorms and gusty winds blowing at speeds of 30-40 kmph are also possible.

The minimum temperature may dip further and touch 7 degrees Celsius. With 24 mm of rainfall already recorded this month, January has become Delhi's wettest in the last four years.

Despite the possibility of rain, air quality continues to be a major concern. On January 30, the Air Quality Index stood at 381, which falls under the "very poor" category. While rainfall may bring short-term relief, dense fog is expected to trap pollutants close to the ground, worsening breathing conditions. GRAP-3 restrictions remain in place across the region.

Travel Advisory and Safety Measures Issued

Authorities have advised people to avoid unnecessary outdoor movement, wear masks and keep themselves warm. Drivers have been urged to reduce speed and stay alert due to low visibility on roads.

Low visibility procedures have been activated at Delhi Airport. In a passenger advisory issued at 7:10 am, airport authorities stated that flight operations are currently normal but advised travellers to check with airlines for the latest updates.

Cold Spell May Extend Into February

Weather experts say cold winds are likely to continue into early February. Heavy rainfall is possible on February 1 and 2, with temperatures expected to stay 3-5 degrees below normal. Alerts have also been issued for Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad. This spell could turn out to be the longest cold phase Delhi experiences this January.