With overall Air quality Index (AQI) 347, Delhi's air quality was recorded under 'very poor category' on the National Ambient Air Quality Index (NAAQI) on Monday.
According to SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research), values of Suspended Particulate Matters (SPMs) were recorded many folds higher than their prescribed standards.
SAFAR's pollution index marked Particulate Matter (PM) 10 at 306 µgm-3 and PM 2.5 - 181 µgm-3.
"The overall Delhi AQI is in the higher range of very poor category on 1 December 13th morning, under the influence of current western disturbance (WD) increased wind speed," SAFAR said.
"An improvement in AQI is likely by tonight. SAFAR model suggests on January 14th, AQI likely to further improve to the poor category and on 15th January a marginal deterioration in AQI and likely to stay in upper end of the poor to lower end of the very poor category," it said further. "A fresh WD in quick succession is likely to influence the region by 16th and AQI is likely to stay in better condition."
As per the extended range for air quality forecast, Vinobapuri, Jahangirpuri and Adarsh Nagar are the places where air quality will remain severe.
Meanwhile, Delhi witnessed scattered rains and a drop in the maximum temperature on Monday, the weather department said. The city recorded a low of 8 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal, and a maximum of 19.9 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of year, the India Meteorological Department said.
The maximum temperature dropped by 3.5 degrees Celsius as against that recorded on Sunday.
It is expected to be a partly cloudy day on Tuesday and the maximum and minimum temperatures will hover around 18 and 9 degrees Celsius respectively.
Weather experts said another spell of rains is likely in Delhi on January 16 and 17 due to a fresh Western Disturbance. Intense spells of rains are likely on January 16, they said. In the next four to five days, the maximum temperature may drop to 15 degrees degrees Celsius.