Introduction: A Double Whammy of Cold and Contamination
Shivering through your morning commute? Struggling to see past your windshield? You’re not alone. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Delhi residents were hit with a brutal one-two punch: chilly winds from the Himalayas and a thick blanket of dense fog that brought parts of the city to a standstill. At Palam, visibility plummeted to just 100 meters, while the air quality index (AQI) stubbornly remained in the ‘very poor’ category . With a yellow alert already issued for Wednesday, the question on everyone’s mind is: how bad will it get? In this post, we break down the current Delhi weather today, its health implications, and what you can do to stay safe.
Table of Contents
- Delhi Weather Today: A Snapshot
- The Air Quality Crisis: More Than Just Smog
- Health Risks You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Travel Disruptions: What to Expect
- What the Experts Are Predicting
- 5 Practical Tips to Protect Yourself
- Conclusion: Navigating Delhi’s Toxic Winter
- Sources
Delhi Weather Today: A Snapshot
The Delhi weather today is characterized by a mix of meteorological challenges. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), cold north-westerly winds have swept across the plains, leading to a significant drop in daytime temperatures . While the city’s overall maximum temperature was recorded at 19.8°C, several suburban areas like Ridge and Najafgarh dipped below the 18.5°C threshold, officially qualifying as a ‘cold day’ .
Compounding the chill is the return of dense fog, a classic hallmark of Delhi winters. Visibility at Palam airport dropped to a mere 100 meters at 8:30 AM, causing potential delays for early flights . A yellow alert, indicating the likelihood of continued cold conditions, has been issued for Wednesday, January 8 .
The Air Quality Crisis: More Than Just Smog
Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, the air quality refuses to budge from its dangerous state. The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) reports that Delhi’s AQI is in the ‘very poor’ category, with levels expected to remain so for the entire upcoming week .
This toxic cocktail is a result of multiple factors: low wind speed, low temperatures, and high moisture from the fog—all of which trap pollutants close to the ground, preventing dispersion. It’s a scenario that turns every breath into a health hazard.
Health Risks You Shouldn’t Ignore
The combination of cold, fog, and polluted air is a nightmare for public health. Vulnerable groups—children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions—are at the highest risk.
Common symptoms to watch out for include:
- Persistent cough and throat irritation
- Shortness of breath and wheezing
- Burning eyes and skin rashes
- Increased fatigue and headaches
For a deeper understanding of how air pollution impacts your body, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) page on air pollution provides authoritative, science-backed information .
Travel Disruptions: What to Expect
Dense fog is a notorious disruptor of transportation. Commuters should anticipate:
- Flight Delays: Indira Gandhi International Airport may see delays, especially for early morning departures and arrivals.
- Rail Delays: Northern Railway has issued advisories for potential slowdowns on several routes due to poor visibility.
- Road Safety: Drive with extreme caution. Use fog lights, maintain a safe distance, and avoid high speeds. For real-time traffic updates, check our [INTERNAL_LINK:delhi-traffic-alerts] page.
What the Experts Are Predicting
Meteorologists from the IMD suggest that this current spell of cold and fog is likely to persist for the next 2-3 days. The ‘very poor’ AQI is also not expected to improve significantly until a fresh western disturbance brings in stronger winds, which isn’t forecasted for at least a week .
5 Practical Tips to Protect Yourself
- Limit Outdoor Activity: Avoid morning and evening walks. If you must go out, keep it short.
- Wear a High-Quality Mask: Use an N95 or N99 mask to filter out harmful PM2.5 particles.
- Keep Windows Shut: Prevent polluted air from entering your home, especially during peak pollution hours (7 AM – 10 AM).
- Use an Air Purifier: If you have one, now is the time to switch it on in your main living and sleeping areas.
- Stay Hydrated and Warm: Drink warm fluids like herbal teas and soups to soothe your throat and maintain body temperature.
Conclusion: Navigating Delhi’s Toxic Winter
The Delhi weather today is a stark reminder of the dual environmental crisis the city faces every winter. While we can’t control the weather, we can take proactive steps to protect ourselves and our families. Stay informed, stay indoors when possible, and don’t ignore the warning signs your body gives you. This toxic season may be a recurring nightmare, but with the right precautions, you can weather the storm.
Sources
- India Meteorological Department (IMD) – Delhi Weather Bulletin, January 6, 2026 [[1], [3], [5]]
- SAFAR – Air Quality Forecast for Delhi-NCR [[9], [15]]
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Air Pollution Health Risks
- Times of India – “Coughs, shivers: chilly winds, fog, very poor air hurt Delhiites”