Maximum temperature drops below normal in Delhi, cold wave to grip in UP, Haryana

The maximum temperature in the Delhi NCR region dropped by seven to eight degrees Celsius below the season's normal on Thursday as cold weather conditions coupled with dense fog gripped the national capital.

Besides, most parts of northern India, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, may see no respite from the cold wave over the next three days.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the normal maximum temperature of Delhi at this time is 19.3 degrees Celsius and the normal minimum is 6.9 degrees.

The maximum temperatures in many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and adjoining northern Madhya Pradesh, were recorded between 12-18 degrees Celsius, significantly lower than the season's normal. The maximum temperature is likely to remain below 18 degrees Celsius, but the temperatures may rise after January 7.

On Thursday, the maximum temperature recorded in the Safdarjung area was 12.5 degrees Celsius, it was 11.4 degrees Celsius, 10.8 degrees in Ghaziabad, 12 degrees in the Ridge area, 12.6 degrees on Lodhi Road and 11.1 degrees in Noida.

The weather department warned that severe to very severe cold day conditions with minimum temperatures below 10 degrees were very likely in isolated pockets of Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi from January 4 to 6.

Further, dense to very dense fog with visibility falling below 50 metres was also predicted for the three places from January 4 to 6.

Very light to light rain is also on the cards for the northern and central plains on January 8 and 9, the weather department said on Thursday. Regions that may witness rain include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, southern Haryana and southern Uttar Pradesh.

Flight operations at Delhi's IGI airport were delayed on Thursday due to low visibility amid foggy conditions.

In light of the ongoing cold wave, schools in Noida will remain closed from January 3 to 6 for students up to Class 8. The Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration clarified that classes will continue for students from Classes 9 to 12.