New Delhi witnessed a dramatic weather turnaround starting Thursday night, as strong winds swept across the National Capital Region (NCR). By Friday morning, light drizzle accompanied by gusty winds brought noticeable changes to Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and surrounding areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts overcast skies throughout the day with minimal chances of sunlight breaking through.
Daytime temperatures are plummeting due to persistent cloud cover and winds, making even midday feel bitterly cold. IMD forecasts a maximum of 19°C and minimum of 12°C for January 23. Expect light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and winds gusting at 30-40 km/h in spells. Similar conditions are likely on January 24, with highs around 17°C and lows at 7°C.
On January 25, early morning fog could reduce visibility, while temperatures range from 17°C to 6°C. Republic Day on January 26 might see 19°C highs and 7°C lows, with no severe weather alerts issued. The rain and winds have positively impacted air quality. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data shows partial AQI improvements across several locations.
In Ghaziabad, Indirapuram recorded 267, Sanjay Nagar 290, but Loni remains severe at 390. Noida’s Sector-62 AQI stands at 249, Sector-125 at 319, Sector-1 at 290, and Sector-116 at 296. Delhi areas like Anand Vihar (317), Ashok Vihar (335), Bawana (342), Chandni Chowk (326), Ali Pur (322), and DTU (312) still hover at concerning levels, though some shifted from red to orange zones, offering slight relief.
Meteorologists note that cloud-induced temperature drops will amplify the chill factor during the day, despite stable minimums. Residents are advised to stay warm, limit outdoor exposure, and monitor updates as winter tightens its grip on NCR.