As the calendar flips to mid-December, Delhiites are enjoying unusually mild weather instead of the biting cold waves that typically grip the National Capital Region (NCR). Daytime highs linger around 25°C with nighttime lows hovering near 9°C—well above seasonal norms—prompting questions about where "Dilli ki sardi" has gone.​

Meteorologists attribute the absence of intense cold to a glaring lack of western disturbances, the extratropical storms from the Mediterranean that usually ferry frigid northwesterly winds from the Himalayas into northern India. Without these systems stirring up dense fog and sharp temperature plunges, the region has seen stagnant air and warmer-than-expected conditions. An early December dip to 5-6°C offered a brief taste of winter, but it failed to meet official cold wave criteria.​

The silver lining? Clear skies have made for pleasant outings, though they've exacerbated air quality woes, pushing AQI into "very poor" territory as pollutants trap without dispersive winds or rain. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) eyes a feeble western disturbance around December 13, but it may bring only light northern rains without delivering a chill to Delhi.​

IMD predicts mostly sunny skies and above-normal temperatures through next week, though stronger cold spells could emerge later in the month across north India. Residents should monitor updates closely—one robust disturbance could usher in the classic fog-shrouded freeze overnight. For now, lighter winter gear suffices as the city braces for what might be its tamest December start in years.