Air quality to deteriorate further in northwest India, including Delhi-NCR

The further deterioration in the air quality levels in northwestern parts of the country is likely to be caused by a change in the wind speed under the influence of an approaching western disturbance.

Also, the western disturbance of moderate intensity is expected to lead to a dip in the minimum temperatures in the region toward the end of the year.

"The wind speed increased to 10 to 15 kmph on Friday which helped improve the air quality...we are expecting AQI to deteriorate again on December 27 and 28 to...the very poor or severe category," stated VK Soni, Scientist at Air Quality Management Division of India Meteorological Department (IMD).

"When a western disturbance approaches, winds slow down, resulting in an accumulation of pollutants," he added.

While minimum temperatures are expected to fall in the region at the end of this year, a gradual increase of 2-3 degrees Celsius in the minimum temperatures in northwest India between December 25 and 27 has also been predicted.

This gradual rise will be followed by a drop of 3-5 degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures between December 28 and 30.

"Winter is at its peak during December end and January beginning. But because of the influence of a western disturbance, it can be harsher," stated RK Jenamani, a Senior Scientist at the National Weather Forecasting Center of the IMD.

"Both October and November have been colder than usual this year, but December has been mild so far," the scientist added.

The approaching western disturbance is also likely to have an impact on the Western Himalayan region and also lead to cause widespread snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad.

On the other hand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are expected to witness scattered snowfall, while isolated rain or thundershowers are predicted for adjoining plains of northwestern India between December 27 and 28.

Isolated parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi are likely to experience cold wave to severe cold wave conditions during December 28-29. Meanwhile, cold wave conditions are forecasted for isolated pockets in Uttar Pradesh, north Rajasthan, and north Madhya Pradesh.

Also, ground frost conditions are reportedly expected in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and north Rajasthan during the same period.