New Delhi experienced an unusual March day as a cyclonic circulation sent mercury levels plummeting to 21.7°C, the lowest maximum temperature for the month in six years. The chilly afternoon winds and favourable meteorological conditions also cleaned up the Capital's air, logging a 'satisfactory' air quality index (AQI) of 93, the cleanest air for 2026.
This marked the first 'satisfactory' air day since October 9, 2025, when it logged an AQI of 99. Similar weather conditions persisted across Delhi-NCR, with Gurugram recording a maximum temperature of 21.8°C and an AQI of 98.
Experts attributed the fall in temperature and improvement in air quality to the spell of rainfall over the past two days and a cyclonic formation moving across the northern plains. The Centre's early warning system for Delhi has predicted the city's AQI to rise to the moderate category on Saturday, and remain there for the coming week.
