Delhi Records Highest Temperature Of Season, Further Rise Likely: Expect Rain On Weekend
Key Takeaways:
- Safdarjung recorded 36.8°C, the highest temperature of the season so far.
- Temperatures are running 8°–9°C above normal across Delhi.
- Rain is likely on March 14–15 due to an approaching Western Disturbance.
- Temperatures may drop near 30°C for a couple of days after rainfall.
There has been an incremental rise in mercury level for the last three days over the national capital and suburbs. Base station Safdarjung registered a maximum temperature of 36.8°C yesterday, the highest so far this season. Earlier, the highest of 35.7°C was recorded on 07th Mar 2026. The Meteorological Office, Lodi Road, was a shade higher at 37.1°C. Other observatories in excess of 37°C include Ayanagar and Ridge, both at 37.4°C.
These temperatures are 8°–9°C above normal. Also, yesterday’s temperature was the highest on record in the first half of March for the last fifteen years. Delhi exceeds the 38°C mark quite often, but it mostly happens at the fag end of the month. Last year, the city registered the highest of 38.9°C on 26th Mar 2025. The highest temperature since 2010 was 40.1°C, registered on 30th March 2021. The temperature is likely to reach or exceed 37°C today. Further, there is a drop in temperature likely over the weekend and at the start of next week.
There is a Western Disturbance over Jammu & Kashmir and adjoining parts. Kashmir has received rain during the last 24 hours and the activity is continuing. Even the foothills of Jammu and Punjab have received rain, after a long gap, last night. Jammu, Pathankot, and Amritsar have received rain in the morning. The rainfall activity will continue today and is likely to extend eastward to reach Ludhiana, Ropar, Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, and Ambala. A broad clearance can be expected tomorrow. Delhi is quite far from the reach of the system and is unlikely to have rainfall.
There is another Western Disturbance arriving over the Western Himalayas on 14th March. This will be accompanied by an induced cyclonic circulation and an east-west oriented trough in the close vicinity of Delhi. The national capital is likely to receive rainfall during the late night of 14th March and with a bigger probability on 15th March 2026. The change in the local wind pattern and pre-monsoon showers in the neighbouring states will have a spillover effect. The galloping mercury trend will be arrested and the temperature is expected to plunge to about 30°C for a couple of days. Another spell of rain and thundershowers is likely around mid-next week, rolling over to the next weekend, between 18th and 20th March 2026. Delhiites will get some respite from the rising heat commencing the approaching weekend.
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