Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius, the lowest September minimum in the national capital since 2008, the India Meteorological Department said.

The Safdarjung observatory, the city’s base station, logged 21 degrees — 2.3 notches below normal — a level last seen on September 6, 2008, when the mercury touched 20.8 degrees. The Ridge recorded 16.8 degrees and Palam 19.2 degrees.

The reading, recorded on both Sunday and Tuesday, marks the second-lowest September minimum since 2001 and has raised hopes of an early winter.

The IMD expects temperatures to rise from October 1, with maximum temperatures between 33 and 35 degrees. Light to moderate rain is likely over the Western Himalayas, the northeast, eastern, central and peninsular India between October 1 and 7.

Conditions also remain favourable for further withdrawal of the southwest monsoon.

Meteorologists said the early chill was driven by clear skies and north-westerly winds, and advised residents to watch for fog formation in the coming mornings.