Base observatory Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 45.4°C, the highest of this year and pre-monsoon season. Earlier, the capital city had registered a high of 44.4°C on 19th May 2024. This temperature is about 5°C above normal and amounting to heat wave conditions. As such, mercury reaching 45°C in the plains calls for heatwave conditions, irrespective of departure from the normal. Today also, the temperature is likely to exceed 45°C and may marginally breach the previous day's record.
Heat low over the northern plains has triggered a low-level cyclonic circulation over parts of North Rajasthan and adjoining Punjab region. This is a dry circulation and no weather activity is likely. The east-west trough from this circulation, which earlier was in close proximity to Delhi, has shifted northward. Dry and hot northwesterly winds have returned over Delhi/NCR since last Saturday. Accordingly, the mercury levels are rising to be in mid 40’s.
Delhi has recorded a maximum temperature of more than 40°C, persistently for the last 2 weeks. It has breached the 44°C mark thrice, since then. Mercury will continue to hover around 45°C, till the month's end. It may even touch 46°C, during this period. Earlier, Delhi touched 46°C only once in the last 2 decades. Safdarjung has a record of 46°C, registered on 27th May 2020. This happens to be the highest in the month of May, in the last 2 decades. It may breach this record even, in the next 2 days. Weather conditions will remain hot and dry, with ‘loo’ conditions in the afternoon.
