North India continued to shiver under severe cold Sunday even as an improvement in the capital's weather was forecast in the later part of the day.

The winter chill pervaded north India, with Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal experiencing below normal temperatures.

Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla recorded a maximum temperature of one degree Celsius while the minimum was minus two degrees Celsius. 

"Weather conditions were severe in Chandigarh and Dehra Dun where the minimum and maximum temperatures ranged between five and 15 degrees Celsius," an official of the India Meteorological Department said Sunday.

In contrast, temperatures were above normal in east Uttar Pradesh.

Cold day conditions continued in the capital, although there was respite from the light showers experienced in the later part of the past week.

Delhi woke up to a cold Sunday morning after receiving 1.2 mm rainfall. The mercury dipped to 6.5 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal, after seeing a marginal rise in the minimum temperature Saturday.
 
The meteorological department official said Saturday's evening showers brought down the temperature, but Sunday afternoon or evening will see an improvement in the city's weather.
 
The capital will see a partly cloudy sky with fog descending on some areas Monday morning. The maximum temperature recorded till three pm was 16.9 degree Celsius, four degrees below normal.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours said Delhi will see a minimum temperature of five degrees Celsius.