Delhi's Deep Freeze: City Shivers Through Coldest November in Five Years

Well, would you believe it? Delhi has just shivered its way through what was officially its coldest November in five whole years. It's not just a feeling; the numbers from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirm it, and for anyone who’s been out and about, the chill has been absolutely undeniable. It feels like winter decided to make an early, rather dramatic entrance this year.

Looking back at last month, the average minimum temperature across the city dropped to a rather brisk 10.2°C. Now, to put that into perspective, the usual average for November tends to hover around a milder 12.9°C. That's a pretty significant dip, isn't it? The IMD even pointed out that we haven't seen a November quite this cold since 2017, when the average minimum was a slightly colder 10.0°C. It certainly got us reaching for those warmer layers much sooner than expected.

Recently, the mercury plunged to a stark 6.4°C, which, let's be honest, is the kind of chill that truly gets into your bones! While it didn't quite hit the record-breaking 6.3°C we saw in November 2020, it certainly felt pretty close for many bundling up against the crisp air. It’s a stark contrast to the city's usual mild autumns, wouldn't you agree?

So, what exactly is behind this early, intense cold snap? A major contributing factor, as often happens, is the lingering effect of Western Disturbances. These weather systems, which sweep in from the west, bring with them cold winds from the mountains. Once they pass, they tend to leave behind clear skies and a significant drop in temperatures, especially during the night. It's a classic setup for a proper Delhi winter.

And now for the kicker: the IMD isn't expecting things to warm up anytime soon. In fact, their forecast suggests we should brace ourselves for even lower temperatures in the coming days, with the mercury possibly dipping further, perhaps even touching or falling below 6°C. They're also talking about the likelihood of shallow to moderate fog making an appearance in the mornings, which, besides adding to the visual drama, will certainly make those early commutes and walks feel even colder. So, for everyone in Delhi, it’s definitely time to double down on those woollies and perhaps enjoy an extra cup of hot chai!