Delhi records minimum temperature of 19.5°C, AQI ‘poor’

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 19.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday, 1.4 degrees above the season’s average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Strong surface winds have been forecast during the day, with the maximum temperature expected to touch 38 degrees Celsius.

Humidity levels stood at 32 percent at 8:30 am, while the air quality remained in the poor category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 250 at 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered poor, while readings above 400 fall in the severe category.

On Wednesday, Delhi recorded its hottest March day since 2022, with the maximum temperature soaring to 38.9 degrees Celsius, 7.4 notches above normal. This surpassed Tuesday’s high of 37.1 degrees Celsius, which was the previous highest for the month this year.

IMD data revealed that the last time such high temperatures were recorded in March was in 2022 when the mercury hit 39.1 degrees Celsius on March 29. The highest temperature recorded for March 2024 was 37.8 degrees Celsius, also on March 29. In 2023, the hottest day of the month was March 15, with a maximum temperature of 34.3 degrees Celsius.

On Wednesday, the Ridge observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, 6.3 notches above normal. Humidity levels fluctuated between 19 and 52 percent during the day, while the minimum temperature settled at 17.7 degrees Celsius.

(With inputs from PTI)