Delhi May Sizzle Next Week, Mercury To Breach 40 Degrees

Delhi temperature has been rising steadily. Base station Safdarjung recorded a day maximum of 36.4°C yesterday, about 2°C above normal. The temperature is likely to rise further over the weekend. However, the sizzling 40°C or more, the first of this season, will happen at the start of next week. The temperature will soar in the range of the low 40s between 07th and 10th April. There is a chance of a very light sprinkle on 09th/10th April.

There is nothing very unusual about having a mercury level of 40°C or more in the month of April. In the last 20 years, since April 2005, the mercury missed the 40°C mark only once, in 2012. The month of April 2012 was very peculiar, as it recorded the highest maximum of 38.7°C on 04th April. Invariably, the last week of April is the hottest part of the month, but it was not so in 2012. In the last 20 years, the highest temperature crossed 42°C on 11 occasions and breached the 43°C mark on 3 occasions. The highest-ever temperature of 45.6°C for the month was recorded on 29th April 1941.

A weak western disturbance is moving across the northern mountains. There is a chance of having scattered clouds in the vicinity of the national capital today in the evening hours. Tomorrow and the day after, the surface winds will be strong. Therefore, the day temperature is unlikely to breach the 40°C mark during this week. Winds in the lower levels will slow down from 06th April onwards. Also, a fresh western disturbance will arrive over the northern parts on 08th April. The temperatures will rise to breach 40°C next week, more so between 07th and 10th April. A light sprinkle on 09th/10th April may not suffice to mitigate the heat stress. Persistent heat is likely to be more pronounced during the second half of April.