Delhi recorded a colder start to February 2026, with the maximum temperature at 24.6 degrees Celsius on February 1, lower than last year's 26.2 degrees, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The max temperature is 2.3 degrees above the seasonal average. The minimum temperature settled at 12.1 degrees, about 3.7 degrees higher than normal. Safdarjung saw the highest max at 24.6°C, while Palam logged 22.6°C. Relative humidity was 82% at 5:30 p.m. IMD forecast below-normal rainfall for northwest India, including Delhi and Haryana, for February. They expect above-normal temperatures, meaning fewer cold nights and warmer days as winter ends early. Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality worsened to the “poor” category with an AQI of 265, down from “very poor” levels earlier. The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts very poor AQI for February 1-3. On February 2, moderate fog with max 21°C and min 11°C is expected. In northern India, Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh received fresh snowfall and rain on February 1. Snow fell in Pahalgam and Qazigund in Kashmir. Srinagar’s minimum temperature rose to 2°C from 0.1°C. Gulmarg remained coldest at minus 7°C, while Pahalgam and other areas saw slight rises in temperatures. The 20-day Chillai Khurd cold period started in Kashmir. Light rain and snow are forecast on February 2-3. Himachal saw light snow with 5 cm in Shimla’s Shillaroo and Kullu’s Kothi, while Manali received 10 mm rain. The cold eased in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, with several places seeing night temperatures above 7°C and 10°C in some cities. Rain at 1.1 mm was reported in Ajmer from a western disturbance. Punjab and Haryana experienced warmer nights with temperatures mostly above normal. Overall, the regional winter is retreating faster, with rain, snow, and warming temperatures reshaping northern India’s weather.