Delhi records warmest January since 2019, air quality sees improvement

Delhi concluded a relatively warm January, with the maximum temperature on Friday reaching 27 degrees Celsius, marking the city’s hottest day in the month since 2019.

The month’s average maximum temperature stood at 21.1 degrees Celsius, slightly above the long-period average (LPA) of 20.1 degrees Celsius, making it the warmest January in the capital since 2019.

According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), nighttime temperatures were also above normal. The average minimum temperature for the month was recorded at 8.5 degrees Celsius, surpassing the LPA of 7.5 degrees Celsius and being the highest since 2017, when it stood at 8.7 degrees Celsius.

Meteorologists attributed the unusually warm January to the lack of strong western disturbances, which generally bring rain and lower temperatures.

“This month, while western disturbances did pass through north India, most were weak and did not cause significant snowfall or rainfall,” explained weather expert Mahesh Palawat. “Had there been one or two strong systems, colder conditions would have prevailed due to icy winds and cloud cover. Instead, temperatures rose quickly.”

Palawat further noted that northwest India experienced 81 percent below-normal rainfall, which impacted winter chill and reduced fog formation. “January typically witnesses dense fog, but this time, especially in the latter half, fog was nearly absent,” he said.

On Friday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.5 degrees Celsius, a degree above normal, while the lowest temperature of the month was 5.6 degrees Celsius on January 28. The coldest day of January was on the first, with a maximum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius.

The higher temperatures contributed to a slight improvement in air quality, as warmer conditions aid in dispersing pollutants. Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) for January stood at 305, making it the cleanest January since 2022, when the average AQI was 279.

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In comparison, January’s AQI was 355 in 2024 and 311 in 2023. Despite this improvement, pollution levels remained high, with Friday’s AQI recorded at 351, classified as ‘very poor.’

Forecasts indicate that Delhi’s air quality will remain in the ‘very poor’ category until February 3, with minor improvements expected afterward.

“Between February 1 and 3, Delhi’s air quality is likely to stay ‘very poor.’ It may improve to ‘poor’ in the following days,” stated the Centre’s Early Warning System for Delhi.

(With inputs from PTI)