With an air quality index (AQI) of 349, Delhi recorded a slight improvement in air quality on Saturday. While the city's overall AQI remained in the 'very poor' category, two monitoring stations logged readings in the 'severe' bracket. Offering some respite from the rising temperatures and air pollution, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall for Sunday.
On Friday, Delhi's AQI crossed the 400 mark, with air quality in the 'severe' category for nearly eight hours.
The Safdarjung weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 31.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, 2.9 degrees above normal. The minimum temperature settled at 16.2 degrees Celsius, 2.7 degrees above normal.
With no rain forecast over the past few days, dry weather and air pollution have driven temperatures up, while weather conditions have remained unfavourable for the dispersal of pollutants.
South-westerly winds of 10-15 kmph prevailed, while moderate fog was reported at isolated places during the morning.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that a fresh Western Disturbance will affect northwest India on Sunday, bringing the possibility of very light rain or drizzle to isolated parts of Delhi and neighbouring areas.
Stronger winds and rainfall could help disperse pollutants and provide some relief from the prevailing pollution.
Winds on Saturday were forecast to turn north-westerly at 10-15 kmph around midday. However, such a shift could also carry smoke from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana towards the national capital.
Night-time temperatures are forecast to dip by 3–5°C between 16 and 19 November. Maximum temperatures are expected to hover between 25°C and 28°C, with minimums ranging from 13°C to 16°C.
