The national capital Delhi witnessed an unusually cold March day, with the maximum temperature dropping to 21.7°C—a sharp 9.6°C below normal and the lowest for the month in six years.
The last time the city recorded a lower daytime temperature was on March 8, 2020, when it touched 21.2°C, highlighting the rarity of the current weather conditions.
Sharp Temperature Dip Due to Cyclonic Activity
According to the India Meteorological Department, the sudden drop in temperature was triggered by a cyclonic circulation combined with recent rainfall and favourable wind conditions.
The temperature also fell 5.1°C from the previous day, bringing back a winter-like chill across the city.
Rainfall & Winds Improve Air Quality
The same weather system significantly improved air quality. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 93, placing it in the “satisfactory” category.
- Cleanest air day of 2026
- First “satisfactory” AQI since October 9, 2025
- Best air quality since October 8, 2025 (AQI 80)
Experts attribute this improvement to continuous rainfall washing away pollutants and strong winds dispersing particulate matter.
Similar Conditions Across NCR
The chill and cleaner air extended across the Delhi-NCR region:
- Gurugram: 21.8°C, AQI 98
- Noida (Gautam Budh Nagar): 20.1°C, AQI 86–98
- Ghaziabad: 20.3°C, AQI 100
Forecast: Gradual Warming Ahead
The IMD has forecast a gradual rise in temperatures over the coming days:
- Saturday max: 27–29°C
- Minimum temperature: 13–15°C
- Incremental rise of 1–2°C over the next five days
However, cloudy skies are expected to persist, with a possibility of light rain and thunderstorms around March 23.
Expert Insight on Weather Shift
Weather experts link the phenomenon to a system formed due to western disturbances and moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea, along with recent snowfall in the Himalayan region.
Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather noted that such significant AQI improvement typically follows widespread rainfall events, which help cleanse the atmosphere.
AQI Likely to Rise Again
Despite the current relief, the Centre’s air quality forecast system predicts AQI may return to the “moderate” category in the coming days as weather conditions stabilise.
