Mercury Rise Imminent In Delhi, Light Rain Around Mid-Week

The national capital has recorded the lowest maximum and minimum temperatures of the last 10 days or so.  The maximum temperature recorded yesterday at base station Safdarjung was 29.2°C, about 2°C below normal and the lowest since 06 March 2025. The minimum temperature today morning was 14.6°C, around 2°C below the average and the lowest since 09th March 2025. Clearance of the western disturbance across the mountains has sneaked cold air in its wake, resulting in a dip in the temperatures. Strong surface winds too have taken the punch out and kept the surroundings pleasantly warm. Temperature rise is imminent during this week and more prominently in the next week. The first half of March has recorded a mean temperature of 31.3°C, against the normal monthly figure of 29.9°C. With the expected rise in the remaining days, the month may close at a fairly high average of 32°-33°C.

A western disturbance is arriving on 19th March over the northern hills. It is not a very active system but still will trigger some change in the wind pattern in the plains, including Delhi. Also, a cyclonic circulation is likely to come up over Southeast Rajasthan and adjoining Madhya Pradesh.  The combined influence of these systems will induce a convergence zone in the proximity of Delhi/NCR. Consequently, a rise in the temperature, the appearance of scattered clouds, and a mild breeze will accompany it. There are chances of very light rainfall in the late-night hours on 20th March or the wee hours on 21st March. Total rainfall may just remain under 2 mm across different pockets of NCR.

The rise in temperature over the capital city and suburbs looks far more sure as the week proceeds.  A marginal rise in the temperature is expected today, and it may breach 30°C in the late afternoon. A significant jump is likely on and after 20th March, and the mercury may touch 35°-36°C.  The last week of March, as such, is the hottest part of the month, and the temperatures shoot up to the high 30s and occasionally breach the notional threshold of 40°C.  It looks quite probable that the mercury may rise to 40°C this month too, between 26th and 31st March 2025.