NEW DELHI: Delhi witnessed a significant drop in temperature on Friday, with the minimum temperature recorded at 8.5°C at 8.30am, signaling the onset of winter. The dip, nearly two degrees lower than the previous day, is attributed to cold northwesterly winds sweeping through the region.
A shallow fog enveloped the city in the morning, adding to the winter chill. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts a further decline, with the minimum temperature expected to reach 6°C by December 10.
The national capital also saw an improvement in its air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling in the 'moderate' category at 183 as of 7 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Delhi's air quality had been persistently in the 'severe' and 'very poor' categories post-Diwali, causing health issues among residents.
However, the Supreme Court allowed the relaxation of GRAP stage IV restrictions to GRAP stage II on Thursday, citing the improvement.

The IMD forecasts a gradual fall in minimum temperatures across Northwest India by 2-3°C over the week. Although there’s a low probability of cold wave conditions in regions like north Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana during the second half of the week, the passage of a western disturbance on December 9 might influence weather patterns.