At 14.4 degrees Celsius, the national capital on Thursday recorded the lowest maximum temperature in the last 19 years and the fourth coldest day in seventy years, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The 8degree drop in temperature comes in wake of rain accompanied by strong winds upto 30-40 kmph.
It was 19 years ago, on February 1, 2003 when the national capital had recorded a high of 14.3 degrees Celsius.
Thursday’s maximum temperature is the fourth-lowest recorded for the month in the last 71 years. On February 1, 1970, the maximum temperature was recorded at 12.3 degrees Celsius, which remains the lowest recorded for the month. On February 21, 1954, Delhi had recorded a high of 13.9 degrees Celsius, which remains the second lowest maximum temperature recorded for the month.
The Palam observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 14.8 degrees Celsius, eight degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature stood at 10.6 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, the Safdarjung Observatory received 0.8 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm. The Palam weather station received 6 mm rainfall, Lodhi Road and Najafgarh stations received 0.5 mm rainfall each while Ridge and Ayanagar got only traces, between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm.
“This is the first Western Disturbance for February and light rain is expected on Friday as well, though the rain intensity will be stronger further up north,” said an official.
(With inputs from PTI)
