When can Delhi NCR expect relief from cold wave? IMD issues orange alert as temp dips to 3°C

The minimum temperature in Delhi dropped to 3.2 degrees Celsius on Monday, 12 January, and is expected to hover between 3°C and 5°C on Tuesday, 13 January, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Skymet said Delhi recorded its “first under 4°C” temperature and the second cold-wave day of the season on 12 January. “It is likely to remain the same till this weekend,” it said in a post on X.

Delhi weather on 13 January

The IMD issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR, predicting cold-wave conditions at a few places across the region on Tuesday.

The weather department’s forecast read: “Cold-wave conditions at a few places on 13 January and at isolated places on 14 January over Delhi.”

The IMD also predicted cloudy skies over parts of Delhi later this week.

Meanwhile, SkyMet predicted that cold wave conditions are expected to continue till the weekend.

When can Delhi expect relief from extreme cold wave?

In a weather bulletin released on Monday, the IMD said minimum temperatures are likely to return to normal after 15 January. Skymet, meanwhile, said Delhi could expect some relief around January 16–17.

“Slight relief is possible around January 16–17, with chances of winter rain between January 18 and 21,” Skymet said in its weather update.

The IMD predicted that minimum temperatures are likely to remain “appreciably below normal” (–3.1°C to –5.0°C) during the next two days (January 13 and 14), below normal (–1.6°C to –3.0°C) on 15 January, and normal (–1.5°C to 1.5°C) thereafter.

As of now, no cold wave alert has been issued for Delhi from 15 January onwards. According to the IMD, the minimum temperature is expected to rise after 15 January to around 5–7°C on 15 January, 6–8°C on 16 January, and 8–10°C on 17 and 18 January.

The effect of Western disturbances

The IMD said a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from 15 January 2025.

Under the influence of a western disturbance's approach, the wind pattern may shift to southeasterly in the lower levels, Skymet said.

“The arrest of freezing winds blowing down the slopes, increase in humidity, and slowing down of breeze may take the pinch out, albeit marginally, on these two days [January 16 and 17],” Skymet said.

“When it happens, the capital city can look for a bigger change commencing next weekend on Sunday. Though it is too early to commit, the first decent winter showers may happen between 18th and 21st Jan 2026,” Skymet predicted.

Harsher winters this time?

GP Sharma, president of Skymet Weather Services, earlier said the typically harsh winter period runs from mid-January to the end of January.

Amid reports suggesting the possibility of "very harsh" winters this season, Sharma told Mint that one can expect harsh spells, as is the case every winter, but there won't be an “outlier”.

He said there are normally about five to six days of cold-wave conditions in a season, and this year, one could add another two days or so, and “it could be a little more frequent, and that's all”.

IMD's advisory for cold waves

The IMD said Chilly winds may aggravate the cold at times. “Cold is tolerable, but a mild health concern for vulnerable people. Do not ignore shivering. It is the first sign that the body is losing heat. Get Indoors,” the weather department advised.

It also suggested that people must avoid prolonged exposure to cold. "Wear several layers of loose-fitting, light-weight, warm woollen clothing rather than one layer of heavy cloth. Cover your head, neck, hands and toes adequately as the majority of heat loss occurs through these body parts," the IMD said.