Mercury rises in Delhi, to get warmer

The national capital on Tuesday saw a rise in mercury, with the maximum temperature recorded at 30 degrees Celsius -- four notches above the season's average, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

On the other hand, good winds markedly improved the air quality of Delhi and the regions around it, with Delhi breathing moderate air, while places like Noida and IGI Airport saw satisfactory air quality for the first time this year.

According to the IMD, the temperature will rise further till Friday, after which Delhi will see some respite due to the possibility of another spell of snowfall in the Himalayas.

The minimum temperature on Tuesday stood at 15.4 degrees Celsius -- three notches above the season's average.

"The maximum temperature is expected to reach 32 degrees Celsius following the rise over the next two days," said an IMD official.

According to weather analysts, another spell of snowfall is expected in the hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir that would bring some respite to Delhi from the heat.

"The respite is likely towards March 3 and 4, but the temperature will not drop below 28 degrees. Thereafter, mercury will keep rising," Mahesh Palawat, Director of private weather analyst Skymet, told IANS.

On Tuesday, dry and cold north-westerly winds blew at a speed of 15 to 20 kmph, which improved the air quality, experts said.

"The wind speed will drop around Holi, that is by March 2 onwards," Palawat added.

The humidity oscillated between 48 and 81 per cent.

Monday's maximum temperature was 28.1 degrees and the minimum settled at 14.6 degrees Celsius.

--IANS

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