New Delhi: The national capital and surrounding NCR region witnessed a hazy yet moderately warm Friday. Sunshine prevailed through most parts of the day, but a thin layer of smog and mist continued to blur visibility, signaling the onset of typical late-October weather.
The day began on a pleasant note, with the mercury hovering around 22°C in the early hours. Commuters stepping out for work encountered hazy sunshine and low visibility in several parts of Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram. By late morning, the temperature started to climb steadily.
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Around noon, it will rise to 29°C, and by early afternoon, it will reach a high of 30-31°C. Despite the heat, the haze prevented the sun’s rays from feeling too harsh. Residents described the conditions as “warm but comfortable.”
Air Quality Under Pressure
Air quality across Delhi and NCR remained in the ‘moderate to poor’ range, according to early readings from monitoring stations. Calm wind conditions allowed dust and vehicular emissions to hang in the air, particularly over central and western parts of the city.
Health experts advised people with respiratory problems to limit outdoor exposure and suggested wearing masks when venturing out in the evening. The coming weeks, they cautioned, could see a further dip in air quality as the temperature falls and stubble burning in neighbouring states increases.
What Residents Should Know
Dress comfortably: Light cotton clothing during the day and a light jacket in the evening are ideal.
Drive cautiously: Reduced visibility in the early morning and late night hours may cause slow traffic.
Monitor air quality: Sensitive individuals especially children, the elderly, and asthma patients should track local AQI levels before going outdoors.
Stay hydrated: Dry air and pollution together can cause throat irritation.
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Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand: Contrasting Plains and Hills
In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, many plains regions followed a pattern similar to Delhi hazy sunshine and a warm daytime high reaching 31-32 °C (88-90 °F) in the afternoon. Evening temperatures to dip around 24-26 °C (75-79 °F), offering little relief from the warmth.
By contrast, Uttarakhand’s hill-and-plain mix delivered more noticeable variation. In the plains of Uttarakhand, daytime highs to reach 21-22 °C (69-72 °F), while at higher elevations, early morning temperatures started at about 10 °C (50 °F), gradually warming to around 19-22 °C (66-72 °F) in the afternoon.
Evening and night to bring sharply cooler conditions, dropping back to 13-15 °C (55-59 °F) in many hilly areas. This contrast underlines how elevation is already starting to influence local conditions as the season shifts.