Explained: Why Delhi is colder than Himachal and Uttarakhand

Delhi is reeling under an intense cold wave that has gripped northern India.

For the fifth consecutive day on Monday (9 January), the National Capital recorded minimum temperatures lower than those seen in some areas of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The dipping mercury and a deep blanket of fog have affected the reopening of schools as well as the movement of traffic, flights and trains.

How severe is the cold wave in Delhi? Why have minimum temperatures in the National Capital plummeted below those in hill stations? Let’s take a closer look.

Cold wave in Delhi

A thick fog engulfed Delhi today, reducing visibility to just 25 metres and worsening the air quality which reached “severe” category in the city.

India’s weather agency declares a cold wave when the minimum temperature is below four degrees Celsius.

Delhi fog became one of the top trends on Twitter, with people sharing pictures of a dense layer of fog.

This is what Delhi/NCR looks like at 8.30am today. The temperature outside is 9 degrees