Intense cold wave conditions continued in New Delhi on Tuesday with the minimum temperature dipping to 2.6 degree Celsius.

A minimum of 2.6 degree Celsius, five notches below normal, was recorded today morning compared to Monday's 3.8 degrees, the Met Office said.

Icy winds are blowing from the hills in northern parts of the country due to snowfall and they are causing the dip in the temperature, the Met Office said. Cold wave conditions have been declared as the temperature drop is five degrees below normal.

The minimum temperature for Wednesday is predicted at three degree Celsius, with the weatherman saying the current spell is likely to continue for at least a day or two.

However, the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting said that western disturbance is expected to affect the Himalayan region and adjoining plains in another

24 hours and due to this, night temperatures are likely to increase during the next two-three days.

The maximum temperature in the capital was recorded at 18 degree Celsius on Monday, which is three notches below normal. The maximum temperature has also registered a dip in the past few days.

There has been a gradual drop in the minimum temperature in the last few days after it touched 14 degree Celsius on January 17.