Chandigarh: The Chandigarh reeled under intense cold conditions on Monday as the minimum temperature plunged to around 3.3°C at several weather stations, making it the coldest January day in the city since 2023, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The sharp fall in mercury brought biting cold mornings across the region. In Haryana, Gurugram recorded the coldest temperature at 0.6°C, intensifying cold wave conditions across the NCR and adjoining areas.

Cold Wave Criteria and Forecast

As per IMD norms, a cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature falls below 10°C and is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees below normal, or when it touches 4°C or lower. A severe cold wave is announced if the minimum temperature drops to 2°C or below.

Meteorological officials said that while nights will remain extremely cold over the coming days, sunny afternoons are likely to provide some relief. This winter season, Chandigarh recorded its lowest minimum temperature so far on Sunday night at 3.3°C, compared to 4°C on Saturday night. For context, the city’s lowest January temperature last year was 6°C on January 27, while in 2024, the mercury had dipped to 2.7°C on January 16.

Yellow Alert Issued

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for dense to very dense fog and cold wave conditions at isolated places, which is expected to remain in force for another week. Weather across the Tricity region is likely to stay dry, with no rainfall forecast and no significant change in minimum temperatures in the immediate future. Several parts of Punjab and Haryana also witnessed below-normal minimum temperatures on Sunday, extending the cold wave’s grip across north India.

Delhi Records Coldest January Day Since 2023

The cold spell was equally severe in Delhi, which woke up to intense cold on Monday as minimum temperatures dipped to around 3°C at multiple weather stations, marking the coldest January day since 2023.

IMD data showed that on January 16, 2023, Delhi had recorded a minimum of 1.4°C. Station-wise readings at 8.30 am indicated that the Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s principal weather station, logged a minimum of 3.2°C, 4.2 degrees below normal.

The IMD forecast said the maximum temperature in the national capital is likely to hover around 19°C, with cold wave conditions expected to persist for the next two days. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category, further compounding residents’ discomfort amid the prolonged cold spell.