On Wednesday, the cold wave in Delhi was slightly less severe as a result of the slowing down of icy northwesterly winds brought on by a Western Disturbance affecting northwest India and affecting Delhi. The minimum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory, which is considered to be the official thermometer for the city, was 4.4 degrees Celsius on Monday morning.

A cold wave hit the region on Monday and Tuesday, with the observatory recording minimum temperatures of 3.2 degrees Celsius on Monday and 4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. The minimum temperatures recorded at the weather stations in Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge, and Ayanagar were 7.6 degrees Celsius, 4.2 degrees Celsius, 6.7 degrees Celsius, and 4.8 degrees Celsius, according to the weather stations.

A cold wave is declared in the plains if the lowest temperature falls below 4 degrees Celsius for a period of time. It is also possible to declare a cold wave if the minimum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius or below and the humidity is 4.5 notches below usual.

In northwest India, according to an official with the India Meteorological Department, the temperature is expected to rise to up to eight degrees Celsius by the weekend as a result of two western disturbances that have hit the region back-to-back.

During the morning rush hour, the air quality index (AQI) in the capital was 399. A day after the National Capital Region's air quality panel lifted restrictions on construction and demolition activities in the region's capital, the national capital's air pollution levels were classified as severe on Tuesday, with the 24-hour average AQI reading 402 and the national capital's air pollution index reading 402. According to weather forecasters,' very bad' to severe air quality is expected till December 27.