Delhi sees warmest Republic Day in eight years with maximum temperature of 23.7° C

Soldiers’ contingent marching past during the 76th Republic Day parade celebration at Kartavya Path in New Delhi
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Delhi witnessed its warmest Republic Day in eight years on Sunday with the maximum temperature settling at 23.7 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The capital had recorded a maximum temperature of 26.1 degrees Celsius on January 26, 2017.

Republic Day 2025 updates: January 26

Over the years, Delhi’s temperature on January 26 has fluctuated significantly. While the long-period average (LPA) maximum for the day since 1991 is 22.1 degrees Celsius, recent years have been cooler with the mercury settling at 20.6 degrees Celsius in 2024, 17.3 degrees Celsius in 2023 and 16.4 degrees Celsius in 2022.

The IMD attributed the consistently above-normal maximum temperatures in Delhi to clear skies and dry northwesterly winds.

“Despite a recent western disturbance bringing some rain and snow to parts of northwest India, the maximum temperature in Delhi has remained relatively unaffected due to bright daytime sunshine,” explained Mahesh Palawat, Vice President, Skymet.

However, the clear skies and northwesterly winds have contributed to a dip in night temperatures.

In Pictures: India celebrates 76th Republic Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he leaves after attending the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path.

India’s Border Security Force’s (BSF) daredevil team performs during the Republic Day parade.

A contingent of soldiers marching at Kartavya Path during the 76th Republic day parade celebrates in New Delhi.

The first aerial formation of the day, the ‘Dhwaj Formation’, proudly carried the National Ensign along with the respective service ensigns of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

IAF performed variety of formations including Dhwaj, Ajay, Satluj, Rakshak, Arjan, Netra, Bheem, Amrit, Vajrang, Trishul and Vijay. The concluding Vertical Charlie manoeuvre was performed by a Rafale fighter aircraft.

School students perform dance during Republic day celebration at Armed Reserve Police ground in Madurai.

The Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi takes the salute of the parade held at Kamarajar Salai in Chennai.

Decorated government department tableaux rolling down on Kamarajar Salai during the 76th Republic Day celebration in Chennai.

Group of students march at the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.

Students perform during Republic Day celebration in Bakshi Stadium Srinagar.

Deputy Chief Minister of J&K Surinder Kumar Choudhary inspect parade Republic Day in Bakshi Stadium Srinagar, Sunday 26 January 2024.

An ABVP activist, waves national flag Republic Day celebration at Lal Chowk in Srinagar, on January 26, 2025.

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Delhi’s minimum temperature on Sunday was 7.2 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal and a slight drop from 8.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday and 9.8 degrees Celsius on Friday.

A fresh western disturbance is expected to impact the region starting January 28, leading to a further rise in both maximum and minimum temperatures.

“The disturbance will shift wind patterns, reduce wind speeds and bring cloud cover, which will trap heat at night and cause night temperatures to rise,” said Palawat.

According to the IMD, the minimum temperature could increase to 9-11 degrees Celsius by the weekend while the maximum will hover between 24-26 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) entered the ‘poor’ (216) category from ‘moderate’ (174) on Saturday.

According to the Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi, AQI levels are likely to remain in the ‘poor’ category on January 27 and 28, and worsen to ‘very poor’ by January 29.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as ‘good’, 51 to 100 as ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 as ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 as ‘poor’, 301 to 400 as ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 as ‘severe’.