Residents of New Delhi and the wider National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to an unusual sight on Saturday morning a blanket of dense fog and lingering cloud cover in the middle of March. The rare weather event followed a dramatic drop in temperatures a day earlier, marking the coldest March day the region has experienced in six years.
According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the temperature at the Safdarjung observatory the city’s primary weather station was recorded at 14°C around 7:20 am, accompanied by humidity levels touching 100 percent. The combination of moisture-laden air and calm winds created ideal conditions for fog formation, leading to reduced visibility across several parts of the city.
The sudden shift in weather patterns comes on the heels of widespread rainfall and thunderstorms that swept across Delhi-NCR on Friday. The rainfall, driven by an active western disturbance system, not only brought temperatures down significantly but also transformed the overall atmospheric conditions.
Friday’s maximum temperature dipped to around 21.2°C, making it the lowest March daytime temperature since March 2020. This sharp drop offered much-needed relief to residents who had been experiencing an early onset of summer-like heat in recent weeks.
Meteorologists explain that western disturbances weather systems originating from the Mediterranean region play a crucial role in influencing North India’s climate during winter and early spring. In this instance, the system extended from northern Pakistan down to Madhya Pradesh, interacting with cyclonic circulations over Haryana and southern Uttar Pradesh. This convergence led to widespread cloud formation, rainfall, and gusty winds across the region.
Neighbouring areas in Uttar Pradesh also reported stormy conditions, including thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds. The sudden weather activity disrupted daily life in some districts but also contributed to a notable improvement in air quality.
In fact, one of the most significant outcomes of the rainfall was a sharp drop in pollution levels across Delhi. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) fell to 93, placing it in the “satisfactory” category a rare occurrence, especially during this time of year. This marked the first time in over five months (approximately 161 days) that Delhi recorded such clean air, with the last instance being in October 2025.
Environmental experts note that rainfall acts as a natural cleanser, washing away particulate matter and pollutants from the atmosphere. Combined with strong winds, this process significantly improves air quality, even if temporarily.
The recent spell of precipitation has also made this March one of the wettest in recent years. While exact figures are still being compiled, preliminary data suggests that rainfall levels are the highest recorded in the month since 2023, when precipitation reached 50.4 mm. This increased rainfall has helped replenish groundwater levels and provided relief to both urban and agricultural sectors.
Despite the unusual weather, the IMD has not issued any alerts for Delhi-NCR on Saturday. Earlier in the week, however, the department had issued a yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms on Friday, followed by an orange alert on Thursday as weather conditions intensified.
The transformation began midweek, with strong winds, lightning, and light showers reported across the capital on Wednesday evening. By Thursday and Friday, these conditions escalated into more widespread rainfall, significantly altering the city’s climate within a short span.
While the cooler temperatures and improved air quality have been welcomed by residents, meteorologists caution that such fluctuations are temporary. As the western disturbance weakens and moves eastward, temperatures are expected to gradually rise again in the coming days.
Urban planners and climate experts also view these sudden weather changes as a reminder of the increasing variability in weather patterns, possibly influenced by broader climate change trends. Unseasonal rainfall, unexpected temperature drops, and rare fog events in March highlight the need for adaptive strategies in urban infrastructure and public health planning.
For now, however, Delhiites are enjoying a brief respite from both heat and pollution. The foggy morning, though unusual for this time of year, has added a winter-like charm to the city’s landscape an experience that may not last long as the region transitions back to warmer conditions.
