Residents of Delhi can expect relief from the intense summer heat this weekend as temperatures are predicted to stay below seasonal averages due to cloudy skies and varying weather conditions. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipates a gradual increase in temperatures post-Saturday, signaling the return of warmer weather in the national Capital.
Delhi-NCR recently experienced a welcome respite from the scorching heat with strong winds, thunderstorms, and light rain on Thursday evening. Friday saw continued cloud cover and cooler temperatures influenced by a western disturbance, leading to a significant drop in temperatures and improved air quality across the region.
The IMD reported a notable decrease of around 5 degrees Celsius in Delhi’s maximum temperature over the past 24 hours. Despite no heatwave conditions on Thursday, the city had previously endured extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in some areas. The mercury touched 45.6 degrees Celsius at Ridge, 44.4 degrees Celsius at Ayanagar, and 44.3 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung on May 27.
Delhi witnessed a substantial decline of 7.5 to 9.4 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures between Wednesday and Friday. The IMD projects that temperatures will remain lower until May 30 before gradually rising by 6 to 7 degrees Celsius over the following five days. The city has already faced two significant heatwave spells this summer, with the first occurring between April 23 and 25 and the second between May 18 and 21.
Friday marked a cooler day in Delhi, with the maximum temperature at Safdarjung settling at 36.8 degrees Celsius, four degrees below the seasonal average. Despite the lower temperatures, humidity levels maintained a “feels-like” temperature of around 39.5 degrees Celsius during the afternoon. The IMD issued a yellow alert for Delhi over the weekend, predicting light rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds.
