Delhi experienced its warmest Republic Day in eight years on Sunday, January 26, with the maximum temperature soaring to 23.7°C, two notches above the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The last time the city saw a hotter Republic Day was in 2017, with the mercury reaching 26.1°C.

The unseasonal warmth came with clear skies, enhancing visibility and making the Republic Day Parade fly-past a spectacular event—rare for January, which usually sees foggy mornings. However, Delhi's minimum temperature dipped to 7.2°C, slightly below normal.

Experts attribute the rising temperatures to dry northwesterly winds and consistent sunshine, despite a recent western disturbance causing rain and snow in parts of northwest India. Mahesh Palawat, VP of private weather agency Skymet, stated, “Bright sunshine has kept maximum temperatures unaffected.”

Looking ahead, a new western disturbance is expected to bring changes starting January 28. This system will shift wind patterns, reduce speeds, and introduce cloud cover, likely raising both maximum and minimum temperatures further. The IMD predicts minimum temperatures could climb to 9–11°C by the weekend, with highs around 24–26°C.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality has worsened. The Air Quality Index (AQI) entered the 'poor' category (216) on Sunday, rising from 'moderate' levels (174) on Saturday. Experts warn that AQI could deteriorate to 'very poor' levels by January 29 as weather conditions trap pollutants closer to the ground.