New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 34.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, and it is likely to increase to 38 degrees Celsius by next week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The minimum temperature settled at 16 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal, it said.

The mercury is predicted to rise to 38 degrees Celsius by Monday amid clear skies, the weather office said.

On Tuesday, the maximum temperature stood at 29.6 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal. It was 33.6 degrees Celsius on Monday and 35.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

The air quality in the national capital improved to the "moderate" category due to a favourable wind speed. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was 175, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe', while an AQI above 500 falls in the 'severe plus' category.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)