Foggy Friday morning in Delhi

The minimum temperature yesterday was recorded at 6.8 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature had settled at 21 degrees Celsius.

Delhiites woke up to another chilly morning today with the mercury dropping to 5.6 degrees Celsius, three notches below the season’s average.

With Kashmir Valley under the grip of 40-day long period of harsh cold, the sun is shining over Srinagar at the moment triggering a temperature rise in many places. The minimum temperature also increased in Kupwara and Kokernag towns where the mercury settled at minus 1.5 degree Celsius and minus 1.9 degree Celsius respectively.

The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, almost three degrees up from the previous nights low of minus 10.5 degrees Celsius.

However, the nearby Kargil town was the only recorded place in the state where the night temperature increased.

Chandigarh city experienced a cold night at 6.2 degrees Celcius, two degrees below normal, the MeT Department said.

“It was the coldest night of the season in Jammu city on Friday…we are expecting a further drop in the night temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir…snowfall and rain are expected during the next 24 hours (to Saturday morning) in the state”, a Met official told a news wire agency.

The people usually stock up essentials including dried vegetables, coal and kerosene.

Chillai-Kalan, which begins with winter solstice on December 21, ends on January 31 next year. The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long Chillai-Khurd (small cld) and a 10-day long Chillai-Bachha (baby cold).