<p>Delhi's air quality was recorded in the “poor” category on Friday, and is likely to improve “significantly” over the next two days due to a predicted increase in the wind speed and light rain.</p>.<p>The city's air quality index (AQI) was 271 at 9 am. The 24-hour average AQI was 284 on Thursday.</p>.<p>The neighbouring cities of Ghaziabad (AQI 330), Greater Noida (322) and Noida (310) recorded air quality in the “very poor” category.</p>.<p>An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".</p>.<p>The central government's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi said the air quality is likely to improve “significantly” on Saturday and Sunday owning to better ventilation conditions and rainfall.</p>.<p>The India Meteorological Department said the national capital and its neighbouring cities are likely to receive light rainfall on Friday and Saturday under the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance passing over the Himalayas.</p>.<p>The maximum wind speed is predicted to be 15 kmph, favourable for dispersion of pollutants, it said.</p>.<p>“After the Western Disturbance withdraws, icy cold northwesterly winds blowing from snow-laden Himalayas will bring temperatures down in the plains,” the IMD said.</p>.<p>The minimum temperature is expected to drop to 8 degrees Celsius by Monday, according to an IMD forecast.</p>.<p>The city recorded a minimum of 10.9 degrees Celsius on Friday. The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 29 degrees Celsius.</p>.<p>Calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, while favourable wind speed helps in their dispersion.</p>
<p>Delhi's air quality was recorded in the “poor” category on Friday, and is likely to improve “significantly” over the next two days due to a predicted increase in the wind speed and light rain.</p>.<p>The city's air quality index (AQI) was 271 at 9 am. The 24-hour average AQI was 284 on Thursday.</p>.<p>The neighbouring cities of Ghaziabad (AQI 330), Greater Noida (322) and Noida (310) recorded air quality in the “very poor” category.</p>.<p>An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".</p>.<p>The central government's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi said the air quality is likely to improve “significantly” on Saturday and Sunday owning to better ventilation conditions and rainfall.</p>.<p>The India Meteorological Department said the national capital and its neighbouring cities are likely to receive light rainfall on Friday and Saturday under the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance passing over the Himalayas.</p>.<p>The maximum wind speed is predicted to be 15 kmph, favourable for dispersion of pollutants, it said.</p>.<p>“After the Western Disturbance withdraws, icy cold northwesterly winds blowing from snow-laden Himalayas will bring temperatures down in the plains,” the IMD said.</p>.<p>The minimum temperature is expected to drop to 8 degrees Celsius by Monday, according to an IMD forecast.</p>.<p>The city recorded a minimum of 10.9 degrees Celsius on Friday. The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 29 degrees Celsius.</p>.<p>Calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, while favourable wind speed helps in their dispersion.</p>