Winter has set in the national Capital after Mercury plummeted on Sunday as the minimum temperature settled at 9.4 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season’s average.

It was for the first time in the current winter season when mercury touched below 10 degrees Celsius.

 The maximum temperature was recorded at 23.4 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung observatory, two degrees below normal.

 At Palam observatory, the maximum temperature was recorded at 22.4 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal. The sky remained mainly clear.

 According to Skymet, a private weather forecast

agency, more cold weather conditions are on the way as the night temperatures are set to fall further and might be recorded close to about 8 degrees Celsius during the next few days.

According to the MeT Department, the humidity oscillated between 91 per cent and 70 per cent on Sunday. A blanket of fog had enveloped Delhi on Saturday morning with the minimum temperature settling at 12 degrees Celsius.

Skymet vice president Mahesh Palawat on Saturday tweeted that “Cold winds from #snow clad mountains will be instrumental for drop in #Minimums in #Delhi. May come down to single digit in next two days”.

By 9 am, the air quality index (AQI) was ‘poor’ at 275, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data. The air quality in Delhi-NCR had improved to “satisfactory” on Friday for the first time in around two months due to rains and favourable wind speed.

The day temperature is prevailing around 24 degrees and will also decrease marginally, settling around 21 to 22 degrees during the next few days.

During the last 24 hours, the night temperature was recorded at 9.4 degree Celsius at the Safdarjung and Palam Observatory. This is the first time the region has recorded a single digit temperature this season.

Dry northerly and northwesterly winds will be affecting Delhi and the NCR, and due to these winds, a further fall in night temperatures is likely during the next two to three days.

Due to the blowing northerly winds, pollution level is in mostly in ‘moderate’ category over most parts. Since a light breeze will be continuing during the day for the next few days, hence pollution levels will be varying between satisfactory to moderate category, Skymet Weather said.

During the last couple of days, dry weather conditions are prevailing over Delhi

NCR region. Shallow to moderate fog and mist prevailed during the morning hours, while the days were pleasant with bright sunshine conditions, it said.