According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall recorded on Friday, January 23, was the most significant downpour the city has witnessed in two years, surpassing the 20.4 mm mark set in late January 2023. The deluge was particularly concentrated in the Ridge and Palam areas, which recorded 17.4 mm and 14.0 mm of rainfall respectively, while the primary weather station at Safdarjung noted 13.2 mm. This surge of moisture effectively scrubbed the heat from the air, leaving the maximum temperature at a mere 16.0°C—more than four degrees below the seasonal average. Conversely, the minimum temperature remained unusually high at 13.7°C, the highest in four years, as the dense cloud cover acted as a thermal blanket, trapping the previous day's residual warmth near the surface throughout the night.
The administrative and logistical impact of the sudden weather shift was immediate, with waterlogging reported in several low-lying sectors and a visible slowing of peak-hour transit. Meteorologists explain that the narrowing gap between maximum and minimum temperatures created a pervasive chill throughout the day, a phenomenon often categorized as a "cold day" in technical terms. While the rain has provided a brief reprieve from the city's notorious winter smog, the high humidity left in its wake is expected to pose new challenges for visibility and public health in the coming days.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the IMD has issued alerts for dense fog and a further tightening of the winter’s grip. As the skies begin to partially clear, the moisture-laden ground and incoming northerly winds are projected to drive the minimum temperature down to approximately 7°C by Saturday. Forecasters anticipate a "grey Saturday" characterized by persistent mist and moderate fog during the morning hours, with the maximum temperature struggling to reach 17°C. This transition from a rain-heavy Friday to a frigid, foggy weekend underscores the volatile nature of Delhi’s current winter cycle, urging residents to prepare for a sustained period of biting cold.
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