Delhi to face cold spell for 4-5 days, rain till Monday

The chances of rainfall till Monday are likely to extend winter in the national capital for another four to five days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

The city received 2 mm rainfall till Saturday evening, which brought the maximum temperature down to 19.3 degree Celsius, eight notches below the season's average.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 13 degree Celsius, at par with the season's average.

"Overcast conditions with light to moderate rain and thunderstorm accompanied by hailstorm, lightning and strong surface winds are expected to occur till March 4," said an IMD official.

He added that there is a possibility of lightning and hailstorm on Sunday evening. The maximum and minimum temperatures on Sunday would be around 22 degree Celsius and 13 degree Celsius, respectively.

According to Mahesh Palawat, Director at private weather forecasting agency Skymet, Delhi will face an extended winter season till March 6 due to the cold winds.

He said the major reason behind the prolonged winter this season was frequent and intense western disturbances. However, he added that this is the last cold spell of the season.

The city had faced similar kind of weather on March 2, 2015 when the maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 19 degree Celsius and 16 degree Celsius, respectively.

On Friday, the maximum temperature settled at 24.1 degree Celsius, three notches below the season's average, while the minimum was recorded at 6.8 degrees Celsius, six notches below the season's average.

--IANS

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