Delhi Heat Wave To Abate Soon, Showers Likely Next Three Days

Delhi registered its second consecutive heat wave day yesterday. The base station at Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 41°C, making it the hottest day of this year so far and also the hottest April day since the last three years. The highest maximum temperature in Delhi fell short of 41°C in April 2023 & 2024. Yes, in 2022, the maximum temperature climbed to 43.5°C for two successive days, on 29th and 30th April. The airport observatory Palam and Meteorological Office Lodhi Road missed the 40°C mark yesterday.

Western disturbance is marked over the hilly region of North India. An induced cyclonic circulation is currently marked over Central Pakistan and adjacent parts of North Punjab. This will shift eastward, more so over the Indian region, in the next 24 hours. Also, an east-west trough from this feature will run in close proximity to Delhi between 10th and 12th April.  Southwesterly winds across Gujarat and South Rajasthan will pump in moisture to initiate typical pre-monsoon activity.

Like the last two days, the temperature is likely to breach 40°C today, as well. Scattered high and medium clouds may appear late in the night and tomorrow morning. There is a fair amount of chance of having light rain tomorrow and a spell of the first pre-monsoon thunderstorm of the season the day after. The spread and intensity of weather activity will be relatively more on 11th and 12th April.

 Twists in the weather conditions will change the temperature and humidity profile. The day temperatures will drop to about 35°-36°C, and the minimum temperatures will also dip to hang around 20°C between 11th and 13th April. Thunderstorm activity will be more probable and intense on 11th and 12th April. Some pockets in the Delhi/NCR may have a short spell of mild hailstorm. Under the influence of these systems, the heat wave conditions will abate from the capital city and suburbs tomorrow onwards. These are likely to reappear around mid-week next.