Delhi temperature, weather forecast today: Met predicts clear sky in national capital, cold wave in Rajasthan; Himachal to receive rainfall

Delhi temperature, weather forecast today: Chilly weather conditions prevailed as winds swept the national capital to keep the mercury down.

The capital recorded a high of 21.6 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average. The humidity level oscillated between 53 per cent and 100 per cent.  

The weatherman has forecast mainly clear skies for Thursday with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to settle around 22 degrees Celsius and 9 degrees, respectively.

Delhi's 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI), which stood in the 'moderate' category, was recorded at 164. The air quality will likely improve but remain in the 'moderate' category on Thursday.  

Rajasthan weather

A cold wave prevailed in parts of Rajasthan due to northern winds and snowfall in Himalayan areas, a Meteorological Department spokesperson said on Wednesday. The night temperature in many cities including Ajmer, Udaipur, Barmer, and Jodhpur recorded a drop of up to six degrees Celsius.

Mount Abu, the only hill tourist destination in the state, recorded below freezing point. According to the department, during the last 24 hours, the maximum temperature in most parts of the state was recorded in the range of 16.8 degrees Celsius to 25.5 degrees Celsius and the night temperature was recorded in the range of 3.9 degrees Celsius to 10.9 degrees Celsius.

Himachal Pradesh weather

Isolated places in the mid and high hills of Himachal Pradesh are likely to receive light rain or snow on Thursday, the local Met office has forecast. 

It also forecast dry weather till February 7. At least 287 roads, including three national highways, are shut for vehicular traffic, according to the state's emergency operation centre. A maximum 144 roads are closed in Lahaul & Spiti, 50 in Kinnaur, 49 in Shimla, 24 in Chamba, 13 in Kullu, two in Kangra and one in Sirmaur district.

Kufri, in the suburbs of Shimla, received trace snowfall but there was no significant change in the minimum and maximum temperatures across the state. Six western disturbances affected the state in January with three active wet spells resulting in widespread rain and snowfall. The state recorded three per cent excess rain in January.