Mercury level slated to touch a new low this winter

On Saturday,the minimum temperature was recorded at 6.2 degrees,three degrees below normal. The maximum temperature — at 20.4 degrees,four degrees below normal — also failed to keep the mercury up. Due to snow in the northern part of the country,temperatures in Northwest India have dipped and some parts of Rajasthan are already under cold wave conditions.

Owing to early snowfall,the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that winter 2010 will be colder than usual. According to officials,calculations to determine the weather of December suggest that the temperature would remain below normal on many days. “There is high probability of below normal temperatures during this winter,but we are sure that it will not snow,” said a Met official,his tongue firmly in cheek.

However,people should not panic,he stated,adding,“Delhi is a city of extremes and its winters are usually cold. Even if the temperatures go down by a few degrees than usual this year,it’s not going to be like Russia. So people need not fear.”

The winter chill began catching up in Delhi from December. In November,the temperatures were above normal on many days of the month.

The all time record for minimum temperature over Delhi for December was 1.1ºC,recorded on December 26,1945,and that for January was -0.6ºC,recorded on January 16,1935.

On January 8,2006,Delhi recorded near zero degree temperature at 0.2ºC.