Delhi’s warmest Republic Day in 8 Years: Temperatures on rise

Delhi: The capital city of Delhi witnessed its warmest Republic Day in eight years on Sunday, January 26, with the maximum temperature touching 23.7°C, two notches above normal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The last time temperatures were higher on Republic Day was in 2017, when the mercury had hit 26.1°C, according to a PTI report. The sunny skies provided a rare spectacle for the Republic Day Parade fly-past, a contrast to the usual foggy weather that often reduces visibility during this time of the year.

Contrasting minimum temperatures

While the daytime warmth was notable, Delhi’s minimum temperature dipped to 7.2°C on Sunday, one notch below normal and a decline from 8.6°C on Saturday and 9.8°C on Friday, showcasing the city’s sharp temperature fluctuations.

Why is Delhi seeing warmer weather in January?

Delhi's 26 January temperature trend has not been so linear. The long-period average (LPA) maximum temperature for the day since 1991 is recorded to be at 22.1°C. However, in recent years, maximum temperatures have been recorded way below average: in 2024 at 20.6°C, in 2023 at 17.3°C, and in 2022, the maximum temperature was recorded at 16.4°C.

According to the IMD, dry northwesterly winds and clear skies are behind the above-normal temperatures. "Recent western disturbances have caused rain and snow in parts of northwest India, but it has not significantly impacted the maximum temperatures of Delhi as the day has seen prolonged bright sunshine," said Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of private weather monitoring agency Skymet.

More upswing in temperatures in sight

According to Palawat, a fresh western disturbance from January 28 is likely to change the weather pattern in the region. The wind direction will shift, wind speeds will reduce, and cloud cover will bring trapped heat during nightfall, thus increasing minimum temperatures. The IMD forecasts the minimum temperature to rise to 9-11°C by the weekend, and the maximum temperature to hover between 24-26°C.

Air quality deteriorates with rising temperatures:

Delhi’s air quality saw a noticeable decline over the weekend. On Sunday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) shifted from the ‘moderate’ category (174) on Saturday to the ‘poor’ category (216). By 5 am Monday, the AQI had worsened to 240, as per the Centre’s Sameer app. According to the EWS of Delhi, on January 27 and 28, the levels are going to stay in the 'poor' category but it could degrade into a 'very poor' by January 29.