Noida, February 24: Winter’s chill has made an unexpected return to Delhi-NCR just as February draws to a close. Fresh snowfall across the hilly regions of northwest India is sending ripples into the plains, keeping temperatures in check despite the calendar’s push toward spring.
Meteorologists report clear skies over the capital today, with light fog lingering in the early hours. Daytime highs touched 30°C, while nights dipped to 13°C. Humidity fluctuated between 40% and 95%. But brace for change: strong winds are forecast for the next two days, delivering a crisp bite to mornings and evenings.
Tomorrow and Wednesday, expect max temperatures to nudge up to 31°C and mins to 14°C. These gusts promise some relief from the lingering cold, though no formal weather alerts are in place.
Air quality remains a major concern amid this shift. Delhi’s pollution hotspots like Anand Vihar clocked an AQI of 331—’very poor’ territory. Bawana hit 248, Ashok Vihar 252, Alipur 246, and Burari Crossing 242. South Delhi fared slightly better with Ayanagar at 180 and Karni Singh Range at 196, but DTU reported 221.
Noida’s Sector-125 was alarming at 290, Sector-62 at 233, and Sector-116 at 252. Ghaziabad’s Indirapuram stood at 273, Loni 290, Vasundhara 278, and Sanjay Nagar 183.
Experts note that incoming winds could disperse some pollutants, but significant improvement isn’t on the horizon for days. Residents are urged to limit outdoor time, especially vulnerable groups, as the region grapples with this toxic mix of weather and smog.