NEW DELHI, March 19, 2026 — A significant weather shift has led to the coldest March day in six years for the national capital, accompanied by the best Delhi Air Quality recorded in 157 days. Following widespread rainfall across the National Capital Region (NCR), the city’s maximum temperature plummeted nearly 10 degrees below the seasonal average.
What Authorities Said
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a maximum temperature of 21.1 degrees Celsius at the Safdarjung Observatory on Wednesday. This figure is 10 notches below the normal for this time of year and marks the lowest maximum temperature recorded in March since 2020.
The article states that the primary driver for this shift was a potent Western Disturbance that brought 12.2 mm of rainfall to the city within a 24-hour period ending Thursday morning. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) further confirmed that the 24-hour average Delhi AQI dropped to 119, classified as “moderate.” This is the cleanest air the city has breathed since October 9, 2025, when the index stood at 99.
What This Means for Residents
As per the details provided in the report, the combination of high-velocity winds and rain has resulted in a rare “clean air” window for the Delhi-NCR during the spring transition:
- Pollutant Washout: The rainfall successfully washed out accumulated particulate matter, ending a streak of “poor” air days that had persisted throughout February and early March.
- Temperature Variation: Residents experienced a sudden return to winter-like conditions. While the maximum temperature hit a six-year low, the minimum temperature was recorded at 12.8 degrees Celsius, three notches below the seasonal average.
- Forecast: The report notes that while temperatures are expected to rise gradually as the Western Disturbance move away, the “moderate” air quality is likely to be sustained for the next 48 hours due to lingering moisture and wind.
The article concludes that while the rain has provided temporary relief, the sudden dip in temperature may affect those sensitive to rapid weather changes.
FAQ
How cold was the coldest March day recorded this week?
The maximum temperature fell to 21.1 degrees Celsius, which is 10 degrees below the normal average and the lowest for March in six years.
What was the Delhi AQI following the rainfall?
The 24-hour average AQI improved to 119, marking the best air quality the city has seen in over five months (157 days).
How much rain did Delhi receive during this spell?
According to the IMD data cited in the report, the Safdarjung weather station recorded 12.2 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending Thursday morning.
When was the last time Delhi recorded cleaner air than this?
The article states that the previous lower AQI record was 99, which was documented on October 9, 2025.
I’am Siddharth a Air pollution analysts are environmental expert who collect, analyze, and interpret air quality data to identify pollutant sources & develop solutions for reducing atmospheric contamination.