You’ve probably seen the headlines or felt it in your bones if you’ve stepped outside at 6:00 AM this week. Delhi isn’t just "chilly" right now; it is basically a walk-in freezer with the door stuck open. Honestly, this January has been a wild ride of bone-chilling mornings and surprisingly bright afternoons that mess with your layering game.
On Friday, January 16, 2026, the mercury in Delhi finally decided to stop its freefall, but "warmer" is a relative term here. Safdarjung, which basically acts as the city’s official thermometer, recorded a minimum of 4.3°C. That’s a slight bump up from the brutal 2.9°C we saw just 24 hours ago, which was officially the coldest morning the city has endured in three years.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
Let’s talk about the gap between what the app says and how it feels. While 4.3°C sounds manageable on paper, it’s still about 3.3 notches below what’s considered "normal" for mid-January. If you’re in Palam or Lodhi Road, things were even tighter, with both spots hitting around 4.7°C.
The real kicker? The maximum temperature is expected to settle near 22.5°C today. That’s a massive 18-degree swing. You wake up needing three layers and a heater, but by 2:00 PM, you’re peeling off your sweater because the winter sun is surprisingly sharp.
Why It's Getting So Weird
It isn't just "winter as usual." We are currently seeing the tail end of a five-day cold wave spell. Cold northwesterly winds have been slicing through the NCR for about ten days now, but the wind direction is finally shifting. According to Mahesh Palawat at Skymet, we’re moving toward easterly winds. These are milder but bring a lot more moisture.
What does moisture mean for you? Fog. Lots of it.
While visibility improved to about 700-800 meters this morning at Safdarjung and Palam, yesterday was a total washout with visibility dropping to a terrifying 50 meters. If you’re planning to travel, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is still keeping a "yellow alert" in place for fog.
The Elephant in the Room: Air Quality
We can’t talk about the recent temperature of delhi without talking about the air. The two are basically married. Cold air is heavy; it sits on the city like a lid on a pot, trapping all the exhaust and dust.
As of this morning, the AQI is hovering around 346, which falls squarely in the "Very Poor" category. It’s actually gotten so grim that authorities just invoked Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
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Basically, if you were planning on doing any home renovations or construction, stop. GRAP-III bans non-essential construction and demolition across the board. They’re even banning BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers from the roads to keep the "Severe" category at bay. The experts are predicting the AQI might breach the 400 mark (the "Severe" zone) by January 18.
What the Next Few Days Look Like
If you’re waiting for the "big thaw," it’s coming, sort of.
The IMD forecast suggests a gradual rise in temperatures over the next 48 hours. We’re looking at highs of 23°C to 24°C by the weekend. However, don't pack away the heavy blankets just yet. A fresh Western Disturbance is expected to hit Northwest India around January 19. This usually means two things: a temporary spike in night temperatures (because clouds trap heat) followed by a potential splash of rain around January 22 or 23.
Navigating the Chill
Honestly, the best way to handle this weirdly bifurcated weather—bitter nights and warm days—is to embrace the "onion" method. Layers are your best friend.
- Morning (4:00 AM - 9:00 AM): This is the danger zone. Visibility is lowest, and the "feels like" temperature is often lower than the actual reading due to humidity. Avoid outdoor workouts if you can, especially with the AQI being what it is.
- Mid-day (12:00 PM - 3:30 PM): This is your window for errands. The sun is out, the wind usually dies down, and it’s actually quite pleasant.
- Evening (after 6:00 PM): The "bite" returns the moment the sun sets.
Actionable Steps for Delhiites
Stop checking the "daily average" and start looking at the hourly breakdown. The temperature drops fast after 5:30 PM.
If you drive an older diesel or petrol car, double-check the latest GRAP-III restrictions before heading out to avoid a heavy fine. Most importantly, keep an eye on the January 19 Western Disturbance; it’s likely to change the vibe of the city from "dry cold" to "damp grey" pretty quickly.
Stay warm, keep the N95 mask handy for the smog, and maybe hold off on that car wash until the dust from the construction ban settles.