Surprise Rain Soaks Delhi-NCR During Cold Wave; Mercury Likely to Fall by 3–5°C in Next 48 Hours
Surprise rain lashes Delhi-NCR amid a biting cold wave as temperatures are expected to dip further over the next 48–72 hours. IMD issues fresh updates
Parts of Delhi and adjoining cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed surprise rain early on Friday amid cold wave conditions. The unexpected downpour comes as the weather department did not predict rainfall earlier in the capital and NCR cities, which are reeling under a spell of dense fog and biting cold.
Amid rain in Delhi-NCR, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today predicted light to moderate rainfall across the capital and parts of Haryana and Rajasthan in the next two hours. Temperatures are expected to dip further.
The rain is expected to improve the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and other cities in NCR, which has been oscillating between poor and very poor.
In its 6:30 am update, the Regional Meteorological Centre, Delhi, said that light rainfall is expected to occur at a few places in Delhi, including, Preet Vihar, ITO, India Gate, Akshardham, Safdarjung, Lodhi Road, RK Puram and Defence Colony.
Light intermittent rainfall/drizzle is likely to occur at isolated places in the capital, including Mundka, Paschim Vihar, Rajouri Garden, Rajiv Chowk, Dwarka, Delhi Cantt and IGI Airport.
Rain is also predicted in Indirapuram, Chhapraula, Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar, Ballabhgarh, Sohna, Palwal and Tizara.
Other places in NCR such as Bahadurgarh, Karnal, Panipat, Gohana, Rohtak, Rewari, Nandgaon, Khairthal and Kotputli may see rain in the next two hours.
On Thursday, the national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 5.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest this season. People experienced a sharp chill throughout the day with maximum temperatures remaining lower than normal across all monitoring stations.
Palam emerged as the coldest station with a minimum of 4.8 degrees Celsius, while Ridge and Ayanagar all recorded 5.8 degrees Celsius, according to the weather office.
The Safdarjung observatory, which serves as Delhi’s base weather station, recorded a low of 5.8 degrees, 1.1 notches below normal.
The maximum temperature in Delhi settled at 17.5 degrees Celsius, around 1.5 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average. Among the monitoring stations, Palam recorded the lowest maximum temperature at 14.5 degrees Celsius, nearly 4.2 degrees Celsius below normal, IMD said.
The severe chill is likely to persist through this week, even though the IMD has predicted a marginal rise in the maximum temperature from Friday. Till January 14, Delhi is likely to see clear skies with shallow to moderate fog in the morning hours.
The IMD predicted cold wave conditions to persist through this week. Till January 14, Delhi is likely to see clear skies with shallow to moderate fog in the morning hours.
In view of the biting cold, all schools in the national capital and Haryana have been closed until January 15. Schools in Noida and Ghaziabad are shut till January 10.
Residents of Delhi-NCR woke up to unexpected rainfall as parts of the region experienced surprise showers amid an ongoing cold wave, adding to the winter chill and disrupting daily routines. The sudden change in weather has led to a sharp drop in temperatures, with meteorological officials warning that colder conditions are likely to intensify over the coming days.
The rainfall, recorded across several pockets of Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, brought brief relief from dry winter air but significantly increased the cold factor. Early morning commuters faced slippery roads, reduced visibility, and biting winds, while many areas reported overcast skies throughout the day.
According to weather experts, the rain is linked to a western disturbance affecting north India, a common winter phenomenon that often brings precipitation and colder air masses to the region. Following the showers, minimum temperatures dropped noticeably, with some areas recording lows below seasonal averages.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned that temperatures in Delhi-NCR could fall further by 2–4 degrees Celsius over the next 48 to 72 hours. Night-time temperatures are expected to be particularly harsh, increasing the likelihood of cold wave conditions persisting through the week.
Dense fog during early morning and late-night hours is also likely, especially in low-lying areas and along highways, potentially affecting road, rail, and air travel. Authorities have urged commuters to remain cautious and check travel advisories before heading out.
The sudden rain has disrupted normal life across the National Capital Region. Office-goers and students reported delays due to traffic congestion, while street vendors and outdoor workers bore the brunt of the cold, wet conditions. Ride-hailing services witnessed a surge in demand as people avoided walking or using two-wheelers in the cold drizzle.
At airports and railway stations, minor delays were reported due to reduced visibility and adverse weather conditions. Officials are monitoring the situation closely, particularly if fog density increases during the early morning hours in the coming days.
The drop in temperature has also raised concerns for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and the homeless. Several civic bodies and NGOs have stepped up night shelter arrangements and distribution of blankets as a precautionary measure.
The rain is expected to have mixed effects on agriculture in surrounding regions. While light rainfall can benefit rabi crops such as wheat and mustard by improving soil moisture, prolonged cold conditions and fog may slow crop growth. Farmers have been advised to monitor weather updates closely and take necessary precautions to protect crops from frost damage.
On the environmental front, the rain has helped slightly improve air quality in parts of Delhi-NCR by settling dust and pollutants. Several monitoring stations recorded marginal improvements in air quality levels following the showers. However, experts warn that stagnant conditions and low wind speeds could again trap pollutants once the rain subsides.
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