Delhi Experiences Coldest December Day in Six Years, Raising Climate Concerns
Delhi records its coldest December day in six years, signaling extreme weather trends and climate change impacts.
Photo by Annie Spratt
त्वरित संशोधन
Delhi recorded its coldest December day in 6 years.
Minimum temperature dropped to 3.8 degrees Celsius.
Dense fog also affected the region.
महत्वपूर्ण संख्याएं
दृश्य सामग्री
Delhi-NCR: Cold Wave, Fog & Air Pollution Nexus (December 2025)
This map illustrates the geographical context of Delhi-NCR, highlighting its vulnerability to extreme cold waves, dense fog, and severe air pollution, exacerbated by regional factors like stubble burning in surrounding states. The cold wave event in December 2025 saw Delhi's minimum temperature plummet to 3.8°C.
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Delhi's December 2025 Cold Wave & Air Quality Snapshot
A quick overview of the key statistics related to Delhi's coldest December day in six years and the associated air quality, providing context for the severity of the event.
- Minimum Temperature
- 3.8°C-4.2°C
- Average December Min Temp (Delhi)
- 8.0°C
- Air Quality Index (AQI) during Cold Wave
- 400-500+
- Years since last colder December day
- 6 Years
Recorded on a December day in 2025, making it the coldest December day in six years. Significantly below the average December minimum temperature.
The typical minimum temperature for Delhi in December, providing a baseline for comparison with the extreme event.
Categorized as 'Severe' to 'Severe Plus' during the cold wave and dense fog, indicating extremely poor air quality and significant health risks.
The last time Delhi experienced a colder December day was in 2019, highlighting the rarity and significance of the 2025 event.
परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण
Meteorological phenomena (cold waves, fog, temperature inversion)
Climate change impacts and variability
Urban climate and environmental challenges (air pollution, public health)
Disaster management and preparedness for extreme weather
Geography of India (winter weather patterns, Western Disturbances)
विस्तृत सारांश देखें
सारांश
Delhi experienced its coldest December day in six years, with the minimum temperature plummeting to 3.8 degrees Celsius. This extreme weather event, coupled with dense fog, significantly impacted daily life and air quality in the National Capital Region.
Such record-breaking cold spells are increasingly being linked to broader climate change patterns and highlight the vulnerability of urban centers to extreme weather. For UPSC aspirants, this is relevant for Geography (GS1), Environment & Ecology (GS3), and Disaster Management (GS3), providing a real-world example of climate variability.
पृष्ठभूमि
नवीनतम घटनाक्रम
बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)
1. Consider the following statements regarding cold waves and associated meteorological phenomena in North India during winter: 1. Western Disturbances are extra-tropical storm systems originating in the Mediterranean region that bring sudden winter rain and snow to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent. 2. A cold wave condition is declared when the minimum temperature is 4.5°C or less, or 6.4°C below normal for the region. 3. Dense fog formation in the Indo-Gangetic plains during winter is often exacerbated by temperature inversion, which traps moisture and pollutants near the surface. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement 1 is correct: Western Disturbances are crucial for winter precipitation in North India, originating from the Mediterranean Sea. Statement 2 is correct: As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature is 4.5°C or less, or 6.4°C below normal for the region. Statement 3 is correct: Temperature inversion, where a layer of warm air sits above cold air, prevents vertical mixing, trapping moisture and pollutants, leading to dense fog and poor air quality.
2. In the context of global climate change and extreme cold events, which of the following statements correctly explains the 'Arctic amplification' phenomenon and its potential impact on mid-latitude weather?
- A.Arctic amplification refers to the accelerated warming of the Arctic region, which strengthens the polar vortex, leading to more stable and contained cold air in the polar region.
- B.Arctic amplification describes the increased melting of Arctic sea ice, which directly causes a global decrease in average temperatures, leading to more frequent cold waves worldwide.
- C.Arctic amplification is the phenomenon where the Arctic warms at a faster rate than the rest of the planet, potentially weakening the polar vortex and causing it to become more 'wobbly', allowing cold air to spill into mid-latitude regions.
- D.Arctic amplification is a natural cyclical event that causes the expansion of the Arctic ice cap, leading to a cooling effect in the Northern Hemisphere and subsequent extreme cold events.
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: C
Arctic amplification is the phenomenon where the Arctic region warms at a rate two to four times faster than the global average. This warming reduces the temperature difference between the Arctic and mid-latitudes, which can weaken the jet stream and the polar vortex. A weaker, more 'wobbly' polar vortex can then allow frigid Arctic air to descend further south into mid-latitude regions, leading to extreme cold spells, despite overall global warming. Options A, B, and D present incorrect or misleading explanations of Arctic amplification and its effects.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the impact of cold waves and fog on urban air quality: 1. Temperature inversion layers during cold weather trap pollutants close to the ground, preventing their dispersion. 2. The increased use of biomass burning for heating in informal settlements during cold spells contributes significantly to particulate matter pollution. 3. Cold and moist conditions can facilitate the formation of secondary particulate matter like sulfates and nitrates from gaseous pollutants. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें
सही उत्तर: D
Statement 1 is correct: Temperature inversions are a key meteorological factor in trapping pollutants, especially during cold, stable atmospheric conditions. Statement 2 is correct: Biomass burning (wood, crop residue, dung cakes) for heating by vulnerable populations during extreme cold is a major source of PM2.5 and other harmful pollutants in urban areas. Statement 3 is correct: Cold, moist, and foggy conditions, combined with the presence of precursor gases (like SO2, NOx, VOCs), can enhance chemical reactions leading to the formation of secondary aerosols (e.g., sulfates, nitrates), which are a significant component of PM2.5.