Heat Wave Over Delhi Soon, Light Drizzle Tomorrow Night

The day temperature rose further yesterday. As on expected lines, base station Safdarjung recorded a maximum of 37.8°C, a rise of 1°C from the previous day and above normal by about 2°C. A further rise in temperature is expected today and stands a fair chance of touching 40°C. The capital city is likely to breach the 40°C mark, more authentically tomorrow, and repeat the same for another three days. This will amount to heat wave conditions between 16th and 19th April.  Marginal relief is likely on the weekend on account of strong surface winds.

The second half of April is more synonymous with mercury breaching 40°C and above, more frequently and for longer durations.   Delhi has surpassed the 42°C mark in April on six occasions in the last 10 years and all of these were in the second half of the month. So, expectedly, the heat stress is likely to build up now and possibly peak in the last week of April. The day temperature is likely to reach about 42°C on 18th April.

A western disturbance is arriving tomorrow over the mountains. An induced cyclonic circulation is likely over Punjab and Rajasthan. An east-west trough will run from this system in close proximity to Delhi. Oscillation of this trough may trigger very light rains late tomorrow night or in the wee hours of 17th April. This brief spell of rain will not suffice to extend any relief from the soaring temperature. Day temperature is expected to stay between 40° and 42°C between 16th and 19th April.