Delhi Weather: Yellow Alert Issued for Jan 23; Hailstorms & Rain to Finally Wash Away ‘Very Poor’ AQI

It’s Thursday, January 22, 2026, and if you’re looking at the Delhi sky, it’s a weird mix of gloom and chaos. We’ve got a “Very Poor” AQI of 330 sitting heavy on the city, but the IMD is basically saying, “Hold my beer,” because a massive weather shift is hitting us tonight.

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The thing is, we’ve spent the last few days in a smog chokehold, but a strong Western Disturbance has finally arrived. Or nothing.

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The Delhi “Sky” Report: Field Notes

It’s an ongoing situation where the city is moving from a silent pollution crisis to a loud weather one. Here’s the ground reality:

• The “Washout” is Coming: The IMD has issued a Yellow Alert for tomorrow, Friday, Jan 23. We’re talking thunderstorms, lightning, and even hailstorms. The thing is, this rain is actually the “hero” we need—it’s expected to literally wash the pollutants out of the air.

• Gusty Winds: Today, expect winds hitting 40-50 kmph. By tomorrow, they could touch 60 kmph. Let’s be real—if you have loose stuff on your balcony, move it. Those too.

• The Temperature Rollercoaster: Today’s a decent 25°C max, but once the rain hits, the “winter chill” is coming back for a second round. The minimum is hovering around 8°C.

• AQI Reality Check: Akshardham and Nehru Nagar are still the black spots, with AQI levels pushing 380. The thing is, CAQM just lifted the Stage IV (Severe+) curbs, but Stage III (Very Poor) is still very much in play. No construction, no BS. Or nothing.

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Delhi Weather & AQI Outlook (Jan 22-24, 2026)

And Here’s the Kicker…

The thing is, the “ventilation index” (which is basically how well the air clears out) is going to jump from a pathetic 1,500 units today to a massive 9,000 units tomorrow. Let’s be real—Friday might be the first time in weeks you can actually see the blue in the sky, even if it’s through a rain-streaked window. Or nothing.

One side comment—if you’re commuting, the DMRC has warned about potential power fluctuations during the lightning peak tonight. It’s an ongoing situation where the “relief” from pollution comes with a side of “infrastructure stress.” Those too.

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End…

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