Delhi touched a new minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, making Thursday one of the coldest days of this winter season. The ongoing cold wave in North India is not likely to subside soon.
The bitter cold is making the national capital located in the plains even colder than some hill stations. The report says that Delhi’s minimum temperature was higher than Dalhousie (4.9 °C), Dharamshala (5.2 °C), Kangra (3.2 °C), Shimla (3.7 °C), Mussoorie (4.4 °C) and Nainital (6.2 °C). was less
The blanket of fog over the city is protecting it from the sun, which is increasing the cold. The Meteorological Department had issued an orange alert for Delhi for Thursday and Friday. An IMD official quoted media reports as saying that a fresh Western Disturbance on January 7 may help clear the fog and bring some relief.
So, why does it never snow fall in Delhi?
AI generated pictures of what a snow covered Delhi would look like are going viral on the internet today. While the internet was treated to these fairy-tale-quality visuals, the truth is that Delhi may not witness such an event due to various factors.
Although it gets really cold in the city, there is no snowfall allowed in its place. Delhi is a very dry city and the cold is at its peak in January when icy winds from the Himalayas blow into the plains, bringing down the temperature.
The minimum temperature in and around Delhi reaches around 0 °C, which is a pre-requisite for precipitation (zero or sub-zero temperature) to fall as snow. When the mercury drops to the minus degree range, Delhi and other regions usually see frost, not snow, which requires temperatures at or below that.
Also, for snow to occur, clouds need to form. If the sky is cloudy in Delhi during winter, the clouds trap the heat rather than the opposite. For snow to occur, the temperature at ground level must also be sub-zero, ie at or below the freezing point temperature.
Delhi winters are characterized by dense fog and smog that block out sunlight, reduce visibility and leave the city bone-chilling.