Delhi Weather Today: IMD issues yellow alert amid dense fog, partly cloudy skies likely; AQI slips into severe category

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi as dense fog conditions prevail over the national capital. The weather department has also forecast partly cloudy skies, leading to alternating spells of sunshine and cloud cover.

Temperature Outlook

According to the IMD, Sunday’s maximum temperature in Delhi is likely to hover around 22 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may dip to nearly 5 degrees Celsius.


On January 17, the city recorded a maximum temperature of about 24.6 degrees Celsius and a minimum between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius, with partly cloudy skies and mist or shallow fog at night. Light easterly to southeasterly winds were reported during the period.

Forecast for January 18–19

Between January 18 and 19, the maximum temperature is expected to remain in the range of 21–23 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may settle between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius. Weather conditions are likely to stay partly cloudy, with shallow to moderate fog during morning hours. Winds are forecast to be mostly calm to light.

Air Quality Slips to Severe

Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated sharply, slipping into the ‘severe’ category. The AQI was recorded at 439 at 8 am, with most monitoring stations reporting levels above 400.

On Saturday, the capital recorded a minimum temperature of 4.4 degrees Celsius, which was 3.2 degrees below the seasonal average, IMD data showed. Earlier in the day, the 24-hour average AQI stood at 354, categorised as ‘very poor’, before worsening to 416 by 6 pm, pushing it into the ‘severe’ category.

GRAP Stage 3 Measures Invoked

Amid the worsening pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday invoked Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), officials said. GRAP Stage 3 restrictions had earlier been revoked on January 2 following a temporary improvement in air quality, though preventive and control measures under GRAP Stages 1 and 2 continue to remain in force.

AQI Categories Explained

Under GRAP norms, air quality levels are classified as:

• poor (AQI 201–300)
• very poor (301–400)
• severe (401–450)
• severe plus (above 450)