Delhi Monsoon Withdrawal May Coincide With Last Year : Above Normal Temperatures Likely

Key Takeaways:

• Southwest monsoon withdrawal began on September 19, 2026, and has advanced farther across northwest India.
• Delhi could see monsoon withdrawal around September 24, potentially among its earliest retreats since 2006.
• Temperatures have risen above 35°C in Delhi, while extreme West Rajasthan has approached 40°C.
• Typical post-monsoon weather with clearer skies and slightly higher temperatures is expected around Delhi from the first week of October.
• Forecast Validity: Next one week.

The southwest monsoon withdrawal process started on 19th September 2026. The second wave of retreat has pushed the line of withdrawal to more parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. The statutory withdrawal line now passes through Jaisalmer, Sikar, Rohtak, Patiala and Gurdaspur.

Conditions are favourable for further retreat from some parts of Gujarat, a large part of Rajasthan, the whole of Haryana and Punjab, and portions of the hilly states. The capital city, Delhi, is also preparing for a slightly early exit of the monsoon. The date may coincide with last year's timeline of 24th September.

Along with last year, this could be the earliest withdrawal since 2006, when the monsoon vacated Delhi on 23rd September. Earlier, the withdrawal date had spilled over into October in 2003, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024. The most delayed retreat was on 17th October 2013. Incidentally, that year also coincided with the most delayed monsoon exit from the country, on 21st October 2013.

The plains of North India have nearly dried up. Temperatures have risen to about 40°C over extreme West Rajasthan. The capital city has also warmed up, recording temperatures above 35°C for the last three days. A further rise in temperature is likely today.

The winds have reversed to westerly, albeit temporarily. These are likely to change back to easterly during the latter half of the week due to the depression over the Bay of Bengal.

A dry cyclonic circulation is marked over the Central Pakistan region. A feeble Western Disturbance will also arrive over the northern mountains as an upper-air trough. The depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a deep depression and cross the North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coast early tomorrow.

Under the influence of all these features, the wind pattern over Delhi and adjoining parts will become rickety and irregular. It may not result in any significant rainfall, but the neighbourhood can experience a very light sprinkle on one or two days. In any case, light rain even after the withdrawal of the monsoon is not an outlier.

Typical post-monsoon conditions, with clear skies and a marginal rise in temperature, are expected over and around Delhi from the first week of October onwards.