Delhi recorded its coldest day temperature of the ongoing winter season on January 1, 2026, with the maximum temperature settling at a brisk 14.2 degrees Celsius. This figure was 6.2 degrees Celsius below the seasonal normal, marking the lowest day temperature the city had experienced since December 31, 2019, when it dipped to 9.4 degrees Celsius. The severe drop in daytime mercury was part of a prolonged cold wave that gripped Delhi and the wider North Indian region throughout early to mid-January 2026. Beyond just day temperatures, minimum temperatures also plunged significantly. For instance, Safdarjung, Delhi's primary weather station, recorded a minimum of 2.9°C on January 15 and 16, 2026, making it the coldest January morning in three years. Palam observatory registered an even sharper low of 2.3°C on January 14, its lowest since 2010. These extreme conditions were further exacerbated by dense fog, which severely reduced visibility and disrupted transportation across the national capital. Concurrently, Delhi's air quality remained a significant concern, consistently falling into the 'very poor' or 'severe' categories, adding to the health challenges faced by residents amidst the biting cold. Forecasts indicated that cold wave conditions were likely to persist, with some relief anticipated only later in the month.