SHORT RANGE FORECAST:

(1) Delhi: Overall AQI today indicates ‘moderate’ air quality. Fine particles (size < 2.5 micrometer) contribute ~ 35% to PM10 indicating dominance of coarse or dust particles. For the next 3 days, surface wind speed (14 to 16 km/h) and temperature (Max 30-32 deg C; Min 17-19 deg C) are likely to slightly worsen air quality. Mixing layer height is likely to be ~ 3 km that causes moderate ventilation of pollutants. Moderate surface winds are likely to maintain dispersion and air quality. Over all air quality is likely to be within ‘moderate’ for the next 3 days due to dispersion by surface wind speed.

 Detailed information:

•      Air Quality Observation: The air quality over Delhi remained in Moderate category with AQI 164 on 26.03.2023. Winds were from Northwest direction with wind speed 06-14 kmph on 26.03.2023.

•         The air quality is likely to show gradual deterioration but remain in Moderate category on 27.03.2023 to 29.03.2023. The air quality is likely to remain in Moderate category on 30.03.2023.  The outlook for subsequent 6 Days: The air quality is likely to remain in Moderate category.

•   The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from Northwest directions in Delhi with wind speed 10-16 kmph and mainly clear sky on 27.03.2023. The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from Northwest/North directions in Delhi with wind speed 10-15 kmph and partly cloudy sky on 28.03.2023. The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from Northwest direction in Delhi with wind speed 06-14 kmph and partly cloudy sky on 29.03.2023. The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from Northeast direction in Delhi with wind speed 08-14 kmph, generally cloudy sky and possibility of very light rain/thundershowers towards night on 30.03.2023.

 (2) Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad: AQI of Pune indicates ‘satisfactory’ air quality today and likely to be within ‘satisfactory’ for next two days. AQI of Mumbai indicates ‘satisfactory’ and likely to be within ‘satisfactory’ for next 2 days. AQI of Ahmedabad today indicates ‘lower end of moderate’ air quality and likely to be within ‘moderate’ for next two days.

 FACTORS FORECASTED TO INFLUENCE DELHI AIR QUALITY:

RED Line: Most Influencing factor forecasted to deteriorate AQI
(1) MIXING LAYER HEIGHT: MODERATE                 

      IMPACT: MODERATE VERTICAL MIXING

(2) LOCAL WIND SPEED: MODERATE

      IMPACT: MODERATE DISPERSION OF POLLUTANTS

(3) VENTILATION FACTOR: MODERATE

      IMPACT: MODERATE VERTICAL DISPERSION

(4) STUBBLE BURNING IMPACT: NEGLIGIBLE

(5) EXTERNAL DUST INTRUSION: NEGLIGIBLE       

      IMPACT: NEGLIGIBLE