Amid seasonal fluctuations, Sunday recorded an unusual rise in temperature during the winter season. Despite the cold weather, the temperature in Delhi reached the highest level in six years due to intense sunlight. The situation was such that, during the afternoon, Delhiites began feeling the heat. However, the temperature dropped again by evening. It is expected that similar weather will persist on Monday and Tuesday. From Wednesday onwards, a drop in temperature is predicted due to a western disturbance.

On Sunday, clear skies and bright sunshine led to a maximum temperature of 26.1°C, which was 6.5°C higher than the normal temperature. This is the highest temperature recorded in January in the last six years. The previous highest was 28.7°C on January 21, 2019. The minimum temperature on Sunday was 9.2°C, which was 1.6°C above the normal. The humidity level in the air ranged from 100 to 48%. Pitampura was the hottest area in Delhi on Sunday, with a maximum temperature of 26.8°C and a minimum of 12.1°C.

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Change in Wind Direction Due to Western Disturbance

Meteorologists attributed the warmth during the winter to a change in wind direction caused by the western disturbance. The weather department has forecast that Monday will witness smog and moderate fog in most areas in the morning. The skies will remain clear during the day. The maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 26°C and 11°C, respectively. Tuesday will see similar weather conditions. After that, due to the western disturbance, light rain is expected on Wednesday and Thursday, leading to a drop in temperature and a return of chilly weather.

Clear Skies on Monday with Cold Winds

Despite the cold winds, moderate to dense fog was observed on Sunday. However, visibility improved due to the winds. At 8:30 AM, visibility at IGI Airport was recorded at 600 meters, while at Safdarjung it was just 200 meters. This affected flight operations. Road and rail traffic were also impacted by the fog. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature for Sunday was recorded at 9.2°C. On Monday morning, most areas are expected to experience smog and moderate fog. However, the skies will remain clear during the day. The national capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped to 'very poor', with a reading of 362 at 6 pm.

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