Air quality ‘very poor’ on coldest day of the season on Friday

The minimum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 7.6 degrees, four notches below the season’s average, which is the lowest so far.

New Delhi: After a day’s respite, the air quality index of the city was “very poor” again on Friday, which was also the coldest day of the season.

The Met office has forecast clear skies for the rest of the day. (HT FILE)

The maximum temperature on Friday was 26.5°C, normal for this time of the year, while the minimum stood at 7.6°C, four notches below normal, a Met official said.

“The lowest this season until Friday was 9.4°C. A clear sky and strong north-westerly winds blowing over Delhi has caused the mercury to fall and have also helped lower the pollution levels. In the next few days, the minimum temperature is expected to be around the 8°C,” he said.

On Saturday, clear sky is expected during the day with mist in the morning. The maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 26°C and 8°C, respectively.

The AQI touched 335 on Friday, while on Thursday it reached 288, in the ‘poor’ category. On Wednesday, it was 320, four notches below Tuesday’s level of 324.

An AQI value between 301 and 400 is considered ‘very poor’. According to experts from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), this fluctuation between ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ levels will continue but the air won’t deteriorate to severe levels again this winter.