Delhi Records Hottest Day Of Season, Heat Wave Likely Till Mid Week
Apr 8, 2025, 1:59 PM | Skymet Weather Team
Heatwave Continues in Delhi, Relief Likely Next Week | Image: Skymet
Delhi recorded the highest temperature of this year so far yesterday. The base station at Safdarjung registered a day maximum of 40.2°C, about 5.1°C above the normal. This happens to be the first 40°C for the national capital of this year and also the first heat wave day of the season. There is nothing very unusual for Delhi to go into 40°C in April, but it is surely a little early days this year for such soaring temperatures. This is the second time in the last 15 years that mercury shot up to 40°C in the first week of April. Before this, the city recorded its first 40°C on 30th March 2021. As an exception, April 2012 did not record 40°C throughout the month. The highest temperature that year was 38.7°C on 04th April, rather early in the month.
The month of April starts with a pentad normal temperature of 34°-35°C and closes with mercury levels of about 38°-39°C. The last week of April is invariably the hottest period of the month. The heat wave criteria need a day temperature of at least 40°C and a departure from normal of 4.5°C or more. Therefore, chances of a heat wave become quite substantial during the first half of the month. In the last week of April, the maximum temperature will have to climb to about 42°C or more to satisfy the heat wave criteria.
A western disturbance has arrived over the hills of North India. Very soon, an induced cyclonic circulation will come up over North Punjab and border areas of Rajasthan. An east-west trough is likely to develop, running very close to the national capital. Under the combined influence of these systems, conditions are becoming favourable for rain and thundershowers over Delhi and suburbs between 10th and 12th April, more intense on 11th evening and night. Before that, the mercury will continue to breach the 40°C mark today and tomorrow. Heat wave conditions are likely on these two days. A marginal fall in temperature is expected on 10th April and a substantial drop is likely between 11th and 13th April. A rise in temperature will follow again during next week.
