As mid-February nears, Delhi is experiencing unusually high temperatures for this time of year. On Tuesday, the city saw the warmest day of the season, with temperatures nearly hitting 30°C. Wednesday followed with a high of 26.5°C, three degrees above the normal average. This trend echoes an exceptionally warm January, which recorded an average temperature of 21.1°C, close to the record set in 2019.
In recent days, both maximum and minimum temperatures have been rising, with Wednesday’s minimum at 11.6°C, slightly above normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts strong surface winds until Friday, with misty conditions expected afterward. By February 17, night temperatures are projected to reach 13°C, and daytime highs will likely remain above normal, between 27°C and 29°C.
No cold wave days have been recorded in January or February this year, similar to trends seen in 2022 and 2016, due to weak western disturbances. The IMD’s February forecast warns of continued above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall, particularly affecting the northwest plains. This climatic shift is impacting agriculture, with higher-than-usual temperatures potentially affecting crops like wheat, mustard, and chickpeas.
The warmer climate may lead to early maturity in crops, poor fruit setting, and quality issues for horticultural products, such as apples. Intermittent light irrigation is advised to mitigate these effects. Additionally, air quality in Delhi has remained in the moderate to poor categories due to the higher temperatures and strong winds. The IMD also indicates that Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh might experience normal to below-normal maximum temperatures, thus reducing the cold wave impact on field crops.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-sees-above-normal-temperatures-this-month-9833177/
Category : Cities,Delhi
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Publish Date: 2025-02-13 05:05:00
