Residents of Delhi-NCR woke up to visibility levels typically associated with peak January. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed this phenomenon to high moisture content from recent Western Disturbances interacting with cooler-than-normal surface temperatures. While March usually marks the transition to summer, this "extended spring" has been defined by gray skies and unseasonal precipitation.

The Meteorological Cause

• Western Disturbance (WD): A fresh WD originating from the Mediterranean region has been the primary driver, bringing moisture-laden winds to Northwest India.

• The "Fog Factor": Fog in late March is considered rare because rising temperatures usually prevent the saturation of air near the ground. However, the three-day rain spell cooled the earth sufficiently that the high humidity condensed into a dense fog layer as temperatures dipped overnight.

• Temperature Dip: Maximum temperatures have hovered 4–6 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average, providing temporary relief from the usual March heatwaves.

Impact on Daily Life

• Commuter Delays: Low visibility during the early morning hours led to slow-moving traffic on major arteries like the DND Flyway and the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway.

• Flight and Train Status: While major disruptions were avoided, several morning flights at IGI Airport faced minor delays, and North-bound trains reported reduced speeds due to the haze.

• Air Quality Index (AQI): The rain has acted as a natural "scrubber," significantly improving the AQI from 'Poor' to 'Satisfactory' in many parts of the city.

IMD Forecast for the Weekend

The IMD predicts that while the fog will lift by midday, the possibility of light drizzle and "cloudy play" remains for the next 24 hours. A gradual rise in temperature is expected starting March 23, as the current weather system moves eastward toward the Himalayan foothills.