Air quality dips in Lucknow with AQI touching 354 in the morning; mild chill forecast ahead

Lucknow’s air quality has deteriorated sharply, recording an AQI of 264, categorised as severe, according to AQI.in. Earlier in the day at 10 am, levels had spiked to 354, reflecting hazardous conditions for sensitive groups. Major pollutants include PM2.5 at 188, PM10 at 236, and Carbon Monoxide at 453. Among city localities, Indira Nagar registered the poorest air quality. Experts recommend limited outdoor activity and use of protective masks.

While air quality remains poor, temperatures in the Lucknow division—including Hardoi, Lakhimpur Kheri, Raebareli, Sitapur and Unnao—have climbed by 2.1 °C to 4 °C over the last 24 hours. The day remained dry with no recorded rainfall. In Lucknow, the maximum is expected to reach around 29 °C while the minimum will hover near 19 °C.

Despite the rise, temperatures are still below normal by 1.6 °C to 3 °C, offering a relatively mild daytime experience. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Lucknow, skies are expected to remain mainly clear today, and turn completely clear by tomorrow morning.

Eastern Uttar Pradesh recorded very light to light rain at isolated locations in the past 24 hours, whereas western parts of the state stayed dry. A marked rise in day temperatures was observed in several divisions including Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Jhansi, while Gorakhpur and Varanasi divisions experienced markedly below normal temperatures.

Across the state, the highest maximum temperature on Saturday was 32.6°C in Kanpur, and the lowest minimum was 16.3°C at Bareilly PBO. 

Both east and west Uttar Pradesh divisions are likely to witness dry weather, with a possibility of shallow to moderate fog at isolated locations over the next two days.

No weather warnings have been issued for November 2 and 3 across the state.