Air quality moves towards upper level of 'very poor' category; light rainfall on weekend likely

NEW DELHI: Cold winds kept the minimum temperature in Delhi at 8 degrees Celsius, a notch above the season's average as the national Capital witnessed a misty morning on Wednesday. The air quality in Delhi moved slightly towards the upper level of the 'very poor' category with overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 322, with persistent cold conditions and moist westerly winds.

"There was shallow to moderate fog in the morning; however, the sky got cleared soon and will remain that way until sunset after which haze or smoke will cover the sky," said an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official. The humidity at 8.30 a.m on Wednesday was recorded at 97 per cent — a highly unfavourable condition for pollutants to disperse. The maximum temperature was recorded at 19.7 degree Celsius.

System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) said, "Although the wind speed is moderate, moisture in the air and persistent cool conditions are holding the pollutants close to the ground."

There won't be any immediate relief from the 'very poor' air quality in Delhi, the agency said, adding it might further deteriorate a few notches in the next three days.

The IMD has however, forecast light rainfall or thunderstorm in Delhi during Saturday and Sunday.

The minimum temperature on Tuesday was recorded at 7 degrees Celsius, the season's average, while the maximum settled at 20 degrees Celsius, a notch above the season's average.

The maximum and minimum temperature on Wednesday is expected to hover around 20 degrees Celsius.