Delhi Chokes: Minimum Temperature Hits Season's Lowest as Air Quality Remains 'Very Poor'

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Delhi's air quality struggled to improve on Friday, remaining in the 'very poor' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 323. The minimum temperature plummeted to a season's lowest of 5.6°C, four degrees below normal, for the second consecutive day. Isolated cold wave conditions are expected to persist in northwest India until December 5 due to strong cold northwesterly winds from snow-covered mountains. According to Skymet Weather, these winds are not only bringing down the temperature but also affecting the air quality. 'The strong winds are impacting the AQI to an extent, preventing it from rising rapidly,' said Mahesh Palawat, vice president of Skymet Weather. The city's minimum temperature has been steadily dropping, with readings of 5.6°C on Friday, 6.4°C a day earlier, and a record low of 5.7°C on December 1 since at least 2011. In comparison, last year's lowest minimum was 8°C on November 26, and in 2023, it was 9.5°C on November 29. The AQI is expected to remain in the 'very poor' range until at least December 7.