The national capital recorded the hottest day of this season and also of this year, so far. The base observatory at Safdarjung registered a maximum temperature of 37°C, yesterday. Many other locations also breached this mark. Jafarpur, Najafgarh, Ayanagar and Pitampura were a few other observatories recording temperatures in excess of 37°C. Najafgarh was on top with 37.8°C. All these temperatures are about 4°-6°C above the normal value. The minimum temperatures were also above the average by 4°-5°C. Safdarjung observatory recorded a minimum of 21.2°C, the first time breaching the 20°C mark.
Delhi has a track record of measuring extreme temperatures during the last week of March. In the last 10 years, the capital city crossed the 40°C mark, once only. The Mark of 39°C was breached on two occasions, in March 2019 & 2022. Years 2014, 2020 and 2023 were the exceptions when the highest temperature in March remained below 35°C.
Day temperature is likely to exceed 35°C, today and tomorrow. Thereafter, it may drop below this mark by a notch or two, for a brief period. Mercury is likely to spike again during the first week of April. Crossing 40°C during the next 10 days still remains doubtful. The temperature in the high 30s will become a norm from here on.
A western disturbance is moving across the northern mountains. Another one is arriving tomorrow over the Western Himalayas. These systems will nearly overlap each other. Also, there is cyclonic circulation over West Rajasthan and border areas. An east-west trough is extending from the circulation, positioned very close to Delhi. This feature will be maintained for the next 3 days. The combined influence of western disturbance and induced circulation, with an embedded trough, will trigger convective showers in the vicinity of Delhi/NCR. These showers will occur mostly during late evening and night. Gusts of winds, peals of thunder, and a flash of lightning accompanied by stray showers are likely for the next three days. Intensity and spread are expected to be more on the 29th and 30th March. The remnant effect, albeit very mild, may be there on 31st March. Broad clearance is expected in 01st April. The next spell is not likely before 06th Apr 2024.
Image Credits – News24
