Northern India’s active western disturbance is unleashing its fury on the plains, with NCR on high alert for severe weather from February 1. IMD predicts thunderous rains, gale-force winds, and dense fog enveloping Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Greater Noida.
Triggered by hill snowfalls, frigid winds will slash temperatures: expect maxima of 18°C and minima around 12°C. Daytime haze gives way to stormy nights with light drizzle and electrical activity, impacting daily commutes and outdoor plans.
Compounding the chill is toxic air. CPCB monitors reveal Delhi’s AQI in crisis mode—Vivek Vihar 344, Wazirpur 332, Anand Vihar 331, RK Puram 327, Siri Fort 326, Rohini 312, Ashok Vihar 312—all ‘very poor.’ Moderate orange levels persist at Chandni Chowk 287, Mathura Road 291, Bawana 262, Sonia Vihar 268, Pusa 215.
NCR satellites echo the alarm: Ghaziabad’s Loni 328, Vasundhara 318, Sanjay Nagar 238; Noida’s Sector-125 323, Sector-116 322, Sector-1 305 (Sector-62 at 185 offers a breather); Greater Noida’s Knowledge Park-V 338, Park-III 287.
While showers promise AQI respite by scattering inversions, authorities advise N95 masks, reduced vehicle use, and indoor precautions. Farmers and commuters: secure loose items against winds. This system could linger, so monitor IMD for evolving forecasts.