The beginning of the coldest month of the year has turned out to be hotter than usual with the maximum temperature on Monday settling at 30 degrees Celsius, five degrees more than normal for this time of the year. The minimum temperature at 13.5 degrees was also warmer than usual, three degrees higher than normal.
“The humidity also recorded high levels. It hit a maximum of 95 per cent and a minimum of 21 per cent,” said the India Meteorological Department’s duty officer.
He added that the end of last week had seen visibly rising temperature which indicated that winter could be delayed. He added that the whole of this week would not be getting substantially colder.
“This week, the maximum temperature will be hovering between 28 and 30 degrees C, while the minimum will not go below 11, although towards the end of the week, it can go further down to nine degrees,” said the duty officer.
Meanwhile, citizens continued to dress warmly. “The whole of last week has been getting warmer but it is still cold enough to wear a sweater. Mufflers and coats, though, can wait another week,” said Shreya, a Delhi University student who has to commute from South Delhi to North Delhi to attend classes.
The morning, however, was breezier than usual, a relief after the still air of the preceding weeks.
“We would get claustrophobic and be forced to switch on fans sometimes in the night or towards evening. On Monday however, we did not have to do this,” said Bindu, a housewife in Karol Bagh.
