Dry Weather Week For Delhi: Mercury Rise Likely

Both the winter season months received very little rainfall in Delhi.  January and February recorded 6.5 mm and 1.4 mm of rainfall against their monthly normal of 19.2 mm and 21.5 mm, respectively. The opening day of March registered rainfall of 2 mm. The monthly average for March stands at 19.1 mm. The capital city is likely to observe dry weather conditions during this week. Consequently, a rise in the day temperature is likely as the week progresses. Even today, in view of light wind conditions, the mercury may reach or exceed 30°C.

The month of March is the transition period from winter to spring and a precursor to the ensuing pre-monsoon season. The temperatures have a tendency to shoot up during this month, more so in the second half. Overall. The mean temperature for March is nearly 6°C higher than February. Day temperatures commonly reach a grade of 38°-39°C during the last week of the month. Base station Safdarjung had recorded a maximum of 40.1°C on 30th Mar 2021, the highest temperature for March since 2009.

Northern mountains had back-to-back western disturbances in the last week of February. This recovered the snow deficit to a partial extent for the hilly states. There is a fresh western disturbance over Jammu & Kashmir and the neighborhood. However, the weather activity will remain confined to the mountains, foothills, and, at best, the northern parts of Punjab and Haryana.  Delhi is far to the south of the outer peripheries of this system and is therefore unlikely to have any impact. After this western disturbance clears the region tomorrow, dry weather conditions are likely across the plains of North India for the next 5-6 days.

Delhi will have a bright and sunny week with mercury on the rise, both during the day and at night. The day temperature is likely to breach the 30°C mark today, for the second time in this year, so far. After the clearance of the western disturbance, the surface winds are likely to become strong tomorrow and the day after. This will reduce the pinch of warmth and the mercury may drop to about 27°C or so. However, mid-week onwards, the temperature will rise once again to cross 30°C around the approaching weekend. A further spike is likely at the start of the next week.