New Delhi, Dec 26 (IANS): It was a bitter cold morning in the national capital on Wednesday as the mercury dipped to 3.6 degrees Celsius, four notches below the season's average -- the lowest so far this season, the Met said.

"While there was shallow to moderate fog in most parts of the city, a few places saw dense fog causing visibility issues," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.

The sky will remain clear with no chances of rain. There would be haze and mist later in the evening. The humidity at 8.30 a.m. was 97 per cent.

There was a slight relief, as the pollution levels improved to 'very poor' from 'severe' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Air Quality Index was at 398. The major air pollutants were PM2.5 and PM10.

The maximum temperature was expected to reach around 20 degrees Celsius, the season's average.

Tuesday's maximum temperature settled at 21 degrees Celsius, a notch above season's average, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 5.6 degrees, two notches below the season's average.