Delhi-NCR weather shifts with rain and cooling temperatures

Late-night rainfall, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms across Delhi-NCR on Saturday have brought a significant shift in weather, marking the onset of a mild winter chill. The precipitation, which affected Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad, resulted in a noticeable drop in temperatures, with some areas recording the season's lowest minimum temperature of approximately 16-17°C.

The weather change has provided temporary relief from air pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi improved from the 'poor' category to 'moderate' levels, with readings such as 153 and 181 reported across various monitoring stations. However, some localized areas continue to report higher pollution levels.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that while skies may remain mostly clear in the immediate days, a new western disturbance is expected to affect northwest India starting October 27, potentially bringing more rain and thunderstorms. Additionally, a depression in the Bay of Bengal is developing into a cyclonic storm, which may impact weather patterns in southern and eastern states.