New Delhi: Lack of winter rain, the absence of strong western disturbances and a nationwide winter rain deficiency of more than 40% are contributing to an unusually early withdrawal of winter this year, weather analysts said. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that Delhi has recorded only a trace of rain so far this month. IMD’s earlier monthly outlook had also warned that Feb temperatures were likely to remain above normal. “There has been almost no winter rain since Jan 1, and the western disturbances passing over north India were largely feeble. As a result, winter conditions are retreating earlier than usual,” said Mahesh Palawat of Skymet. He added that although another western disturbance is approaching, its impact on Delhi-NCR will be negligible, with only a trace of rainfall likely in isolated pockets. On Saturday, the maximum settled at 27°C, four notches above normal, up from 26.3°C a day earlier. The minimum was 9.2°C, a notch below normal, compared with 9.8°C on Friday. For Sunday, IMD has forecast maximum and minimum temperatures of 26–28°C and 10–12°C. The agency said minimum temperatures are likely to rise by 1–3°C over the next four days. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated again, slipping into the ‘poor’ category. The AQI stood at 230 at 4pm, compared with 197, a day earlier. According to IITM’s early warning system, Delhi’s air quality is likely to remain in the ‘poor’ category from Feb 15 to 17.
