India, Jan. 13 -- Cold wave conditions continued in Delhi for a third day on Tuesday as the mercury plunged 4.4 degrees below normal to 3degC, the lowest in January in three years, and the air quality deteriorated to the "very poor" category.

Similar conditions were expected on Wednesday, before a feeble western disturbance was expected to influence the weather in the northern plains from Thursday.

On Monday, Safdarjung, Delhi's representative weather observatory, recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2degC. Lodhi Road observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 3degC on Tuesday, Ayanagar 3.2degC, Palam 4degC, and Ridge 4.4degC.

A cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature is below 10degC, while its departure is 4.5degC or more...