Delhi residents were greeted by an unusual sight—clear blue skies—despite the city enduring a sharp cold snap, with temperatures dipping to 5.6 degrees Celsius, the lowest of the season so far. The Air Quality Index (AQI) showed slight improvement, hovering around 279-300, classified as "poor," down from the "very poor" levels exceeding 300 in recent days. This brief respite comes after weeks of hazardous smog, offering a small relief amid the grip of early winter.

The improvement in air quality was largely driven by strong northwesterly winds blowing in from the mountains, which helped push pollutants out of the Delhi-NCR region into neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana. Experts observed that these gusts began late Sunday night, breaking a 24-day streak of "very poor" or worse air. Meanwhile, minimum temperatures at Safdarjung Observatory dropped to 5.7°C, around 4-5 degrees below the seasonal average, signaling an unusually early onset of winter chill.

Despite the overall improvement, some areas remained heavily polluted. Nehru Nagar recorded an AQI of 354, classified as "very poor," followed closely by Rohini (343), Bawana (339), and RK Puram (338). In contrast, NSIT Dwarka experienced the best conditions at 202. Only five out of 38 monitoring stations reported "very poor" air on Monday morning, a significant reduction from last week’s widespread smog. For context, the Central Pollution Control Board rates AQI between 201-300 as "poor," advising sensitive groups like children and the elderly to exercise caution.

With forecasts predicting another drop of 2-3°C mid-week due to western disturbances, residents are advised to layer up with warm clothing such as woolens, scarves, and gloves. Using N95 masks during peak hours, indoor air purifiers, and steam inhalation can help ease respiratory strain. Limiting outdoor exposure, especially near pollution hotspots, staying hydrated despite dry air, and adopting greener transport options like carpooling or metro rides can further help sustain the recent improvement in air quality.