Chandigarh, Jan. 16 -- The sun made a welcome reappearance on Thursday, taking the maximum temperature up by five notches. But cold day conditions persisted, offering residents little relief.

The maximum temperature rose from Wednesday's 8.9degC to 13.5degC, which was still 4.9 degrees below normal, leading to cold day conditions. The 8.9degC temperature recorded the day before was a sharp 9.5 degrees below normal and lowest in 13 years.

Down from 15.2degC on Tuesday, it was second only to 6.1degC, recorded on January 8, 2013.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) declares a "cold day" when the maximum temperature is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees below normal and the minimum temperature falls below 10degC. When the maximum temperature drops o...