Warmer Week Ahead For Delhi, Dry Weather Till Past Mid-Month

The temperatures remained within normal for Delhi in the past 24 hours. The minimum temperature did rise to a double digit of 10°C, as against 8.2°C of yesterday. Base station Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 23.6°C yesterday, very close to normal. While the minimum temperatures may hang around 9°-10°C, the day temperatures are likely to rise beyond 25°C on most days in the next week. Insignificant clouds and windy conditions will remain the highlights of the weather next week.

The western disturbance will arrive over the Western Himalayas tomorrow. Weather activity will remain confined to the hills only and rain–snow will occur between the 08th and 12th of February. The passage of the system will build the pressure gradient and temperature differential between the hills and plains. Surface and low-level winds are likely to become stronger over Delhi and the neighbourhood between the 10th and 15th of February. A fair amount of sunshine will raise the day temperature and it may reach about 27°C between 10th and 12th Feb. Following clearance of weather in the hills, the mercury may drop marginally on 13th and 14th Feb, but rise again on the next weekend.

February is the rainiest winter month for Delhi. Though these are still early days, the city has recorded only 0.5 mm of rainfall only in the first week. Things are not looking promising even till past mid-month. Persistent dry conditions and absence of clouds will lead to above-normal temperatures next week. This spike in temperature, coupled with breezy conditions, is indicative of an early change in seasonal weather. The spring season may get curtailed and a typical feel of summer may become the hallmark earlier than normal.