Delhi Shivers Into 2026 With Coldest December Day in Six Years
Delhi ended 2025 under an intense cold spell, recording its coldest December day in six years as daytime temperatures dropped sharply. Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed the maximum temperature falling to 14.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, which was 6.2 degrees below the seasonal average. The last colder December day was recorded on December 31, 2019, when the maximum temperature plunged to 9.4 degrees Celsius.
Night temperatures also remained low, with the minimum settling at 6.4 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal. Wednesday marked the coldest day of the month, surpassing earlier lows seen on December 20 and December 19, when maximum temperatures dipped to 16.9 and 18.1 degrees Celsius respectively. IMD officials explained that a “cold day” is declared when minimum temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius and maximum temperatures stay significantly below normal levels.
The cold conditions are expected to persist into the new year, with forecasts indicating continued cold days on January 1 and a slight chance of light, isolated rain over Delhi-NCR due to an induced cyclonic circulation over Punjab and Haryana. From January 3 onwards, temperatures could dip further as cold northerly winds from the Himalayan region move in. Fog has also begun affecting the city, with reduced visibility reported in areas such as Palam and Safdarjung during the evening hours.
Pic courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
