You’ve probably felt it. That bone-chilling, teeth-chattering air that makes you regret even thinking about leaving your blanket. Delhi basically turned into a giant freezer this week. Honestly, if you thought it felt colder than usual, you weren't just imagining things.
The recent temperature in Delhi just smashed records, hitting a low that we haven't seen in years. On Thursday morning, January 15, 2026, the city woke up to a staggering 2.9°C. That’s the coldest morning Safdarjung has recorded since 2023. To put that in perspective, the mercury at Palam dipped even further to 2.3°C, while Lodhi Road saw 3.4°C.
Why is it so cold right now?
It’s a mix of things, really. Meteorologists from the IMD (India Meteorological Department) are pointing to those icy northwesterly winds blowing straight from the snow-covered Himalayas. Plus, the skies have been super clear at night. While that sounds nice, it actually means there are no clouds to trap the day's heat. It all just escapes into space.
Mahesh Palawat from Skymet mentioned that this "radiational cooling" is why the drop is so sharp. You get a decent, sunny afternoon—the maximum reached about 21.4°C today—but the moment the sun sets at 5:46 PM, the temperature just falls off a cliff.
The gap between day and night is huge. We're talking about a 15-to-18-degree difference. That’s a massive swing for your body to handle.
The "Double Whammy" of Fog and Pollution
It’s not just the cold, though. The air is... well, it’s thick.
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Recent temperature in Delhi has been accompanied by some pretty nasty air quality. While the sun is out, the AQI is hovering in the "Very Poor" and "Severe" categories. Most stations like Anand Vihar and Chandni Chowk are seeing numbers well above 350, sometimes crossing 400.
- Humidity is high: We're seeing morning humidity levels near 91%.
- Visibility is low: Dense fog has been messing with flights at IGI Airport and slowing down the trains.
- The Chill Factor: High humidity makes that 3-degree air feel even more "biting" on your skin.
Is there any relief coming?
Actually, yes. Sorta.
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A feeble Western Disturbance is expected to move in starting tonight. Usually, when these systems arrive, they bring clouds. Clouds act like a blanket, which means the night temperatures should start creeping up.
Forecasters expect the minimum to rise to about 6°C or 8°C by Friday and maybe hit 10°C by the weekend. It won't be "warm," but it'll definitely be less of a shock to the system than the sub-3-degree madness we just went through. There's even a chance of light rain or drizzle around January 22 or 23, which might finally wash some of this smog away.
What you should actually do about it
Don't ditch the heavy coats just because the sun is out. The transition from a 21-degree afternoon to a 4-degree night is exactly how people get sick.
Focus on these three things right now:
- Layering is non-negotiable: Use a base layer that wicks moisture. Sweat from a brisk afternoon walk can turn into a literal ice pack on your back once the sun dips.
- Monitor the AQI before your run: If you're an outdoor exerciser, wait until at least 11 AM when the sun has helped disperse some of the surface-level pollutants.
- Hydrate: It sounds weird in winter, but the air is incredibly dry (around 32% humidity during the day). Dry throat + pollution = a bad time.
The recent temperature in Delhi has been a reminder of how brutal a north Indian winter can be, especially with La Niña influences in play this season. Keep those heaters ready, but maybe don't keep them on all night—the air is dry enough as it is.
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Stay warm, keep the windows shut during peak fog hours, and watch for that Western Disturbance to bring a bit of a "warm-up" in the coming days.