IMD predicts rain, max temperature up slightly

The sun came out and the maximum temperature rose to 18.8°C, the warmest the daytime has been since December 31, as an approaching western disturbance helped thin the blanket of fog that plunged the city into a grey, bitter winter since the start of the year.

The western disturbance will help cut the chill for the first half of the next week, weather scientists said on Sunday, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) separately issued an orange alert for Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh for heavy fog and cold day conditions.

"The upper-level fog finally cleared out today, which is the major reason why Delhi experienced the first rays of sunlight in days. Upper-level fog usually does not let any sunlight penetrate, leading to gloomy cold day conditions. Delhi did not experience any cold day conditions on Sunday," said an IMD official.

The cold conditions will likely recede from most parts of the north-western plains, but the western disturbance could bring rain and thundershowers for Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan on Monday and Tuesday.

In Delhi, there could likely be a drizzle on Tuesday. The "western disturbances might cause partly cloudy skies on Monday and light rain in Delhi on Tuesday. The maximum is forecast to stay below 20 degrees throughout the week", added the official cited above.