Delhi Breaks Record: Temperature Rise Through The Roof
Key Takeaways:
- Delhi recorded over 35°C for two consecutive days, unusual for the first week of March.
- Safdarjung touched 35.7°C, over 7°C above normal, the earliest such event in 15 years.
- Ridge Observatory recorded the highest temperature of 38.9°C, nearly 9°C above normal.
- Temperatures are likely to stay above normal for the next 4–5 days, with a possibility of 40°C later in March.
There has been an unusual rise of day temperature over Delhi/NCR. The capital city recorded day temperature in excess of 35°C for two consecutive days. Base station Safdarjung registered maximum of 35.7°C on 07th March 2026, over 7°C above the normal. This was first time in the last 15 years that the temperature breached 35°C mark in the first week of March. Yesterday, it nearly repeated when the maximum got arrested at 35.6°C, again over 7°C above the normal. Meteorological office at Lodi Road recorded high of 35.8°C, about 8°C above the average. Ridge observatory was the highest with 38.9°C, about 9°C more than the normal. There is no immediate respite likely and the day temperatures will remain well above normal for the next 4–5 days.
Earlier, in March 2025, the mercury crossed 35°C mark in the second week on 14th March (36.2°C). And, in March 2024, the mercury could reach 35°C in the last week of the month. To top it all, mercury could not reach this mark at all in Mar 2023 and the highest got stopped at 34.3°C on 16th March. The closest to the highest mark of 35°C of this year was in 2021, when the mercury exceeded 35°C on 11th March. It is even four days earlier this season. The temperature is likely to rise further and may have the distinction of reaching 40°C during March 2026. Earlier, it has happened only once in the last two decades when the mercury reached 40.1°C on 30th March 2021.
There is a western disturbance approaching Western Himalayas early tomorrow. Weather activity will remain confined to the hills for the next three days. Plains may find some change in the wind pattern. Another system will approach on 13th March. Like the previous one, this will also largely affect the mountains. However, because of induced cyclonic circulation, the plains may also have some residual effect.
Model reliability decreases in the pre-monsoon with a lead time of about four days. It is little early to predict for Delhi and the update will be shared around the mid-week. Today also, the day temperature will rise above 35°C, making a hat trick of 35°C for the national capital, quite early in the season.
