Residents in the national capital experienced a noticeable nip in the air as Delhi recorded its lowest minimum temperature for the month of October on Sunday, October 18, 2026. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the mercury settled at 17.1 degrees Celsius, a figure that is 1.3 degrees lower than what is typically expected for this time of the season.
This latest temperature reading marks a significant shift from the previous day, showing a drop of 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to Saturday, October 17, 2026. Meteorological data indicates that this cooling trend was consistent across several key weather stations in the city, suggesting a broader regional transition as the autumn season advances.
Specific stations within the capital reported even lower figures. The Palam weather station recorded a minimum temperature of 16.9 degrees Celsius, which is two notches below the normal range. Similarly, weather monitoring stations at Lodhi Road and Ayanagar both recorded a low of 16.8 degrees Celsius, also falling two notches below the expected seasonal average. The Ridge station, another key monitoring point, noted a minimum temperature of 17.7 degrees Celsius, reflecting a dip of 1.8 degrees below the normal.
Despite the dip in night-time temperatures, the daytime weather remains relatively warm. The IMD has issued a forecast predicting mainly clear skies for the city. Daytime temperatures are expected to reach a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius, providing a sharp contrast between the cooler nights and the lingering warmth of the afternoons during this transitional phase of the year.
There has been no significant rainfall recorded across any of Delhi's five primary weather stations during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026. The lack of precipitation has kept the atmosphere dry, contributing to the clear sky conditions currently observed over the city.
In terms of ambient air quality, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 118 at 8 a.m. on Monday. This reading places the city’s air in the 'satisfactory' category. Under current classification standards, an AQI between 51 and 100 is considered 'satisfactory', while levels between 101 and 200 fall into the 'moderate' category. The current index suggests that despite the seasonal changes and the onset of colder nights, air quality conditions remain within a manageable range for the general population.
The current meteorological situation comes amid broader discussions regarding the city's preparedness for the upcoming winter season. Officials have previously noted that infrastructure projects, such as the deployment of new road-sweeping machines intended to mitigate winter pollution, have faced delays and are now expected to be operational by the end of November. As the temperature continues to drop, residents and authorities remain focused on tracking both climatic shifts and air quality fluctuations throughout the remainder of the month.
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