New Delhi: Delhi-NCR experienced an unusual veil of shallow fog on Thursday morning, much to the delight of many residents. Such weather conditions are not typical for May which happens to be the hottest month of the year in Delhi-NCR. Met department officials said high moisture content in the air, calm winds and significant difference between day and night temperatures create favorable conditions for fog formation.
According to the IMD, shallow fog occurs when the visibility is between 501 and 1,000 metres. The Safdarjung observatory, Delhi’s main weather station, recorded 30 mm of rain in 24 hours till 8.30 am on Thursday.
It recorded Wednesday’s maximum temperature of 30.6 degrees Celsius, nine notches below normal, Thursday’s minimum temperature of 15.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest in the month in at least 13 years. The all-time minimum temperature of 15.2 °C – since weather monitoring began – was recorded on May 2, 1982.
The humidity level remained between 80 per cent and 100 per cent at most places in the city.
Heavy rain, more showers likely in Delhi-NCR
It rained in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday, causing water-logging in low-lying areas and vehicular movement on major roads in many areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said it has also received reports of hailstorm in parts of south Delhi, including Hauz Khas and Green Park.
Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s primary weather station, recorded 20.9 mm of rain between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm and recorded a maximum temperature of 30.6 degrees Celsius, nine notches below normal. It was a good start to May, with the city recording 14.8 mm of rain on Monday.
Delhi receives an average of 29.4 mm of rainfall in May, but this year the city has recorded over 36 mm of rainfall in the first three days of the month.
Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge, Ayanagar, Mungeshpur, Narela, Pitampura and Pusa received 11.8 mm, 24.6 mm, 14.6 mm, 13.8 mm, 31.5 mm, 9.5 mm, 55.5 mm and 15.5 mm of rainfall respectively on Wednesday.
Rainfall recorded below 15 mm is considered light, between 15 and 64.5 mm moderate, between 64.5 mm and 115.5 mm heavy, between 115.6 and 204.4 very heavy. Anything above 204.4 mm is considered extremely heavy rainfall.
The rain presented a familiar sight of long queues of vehicles stuck on waterlogged roads for several minutes. Strong winds snapped power and internet cables in some areas.
Met department officials said another spell of rain is likely from Friday.
Delhi recorded over 20 mm of rainfall in April, the highest in the month since 2017, due to back-to-back western disturbances.
The Safdarjung observatory recorded at least 10 degrees below normal maximum temperatures on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday due to intermittent rain and cloud cover under the influence of a persistent western disturbance.
The maximum temperature was recorded at 28.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday and dropped to 26.2 degrees Celsius on Monday, making it the second coldest day of the month in 13 years. The maximum temperature of the city was recorded at 28.3 degree Celsius on Tuesday.
An IMD official said that another western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from May 5. Under its influence, the sky will remain cloudy in the capital till May 7 and there is a possibility of scattered rain.
The maximum temperature is expected to remain below 35 degree Celsius till May 9. According to the IMD, May is the hottest month in Delhi with an average maximum temperature of 39.5 °C. The Met Office has predicted below-normal maximum temperatures and fewer heatwave days in northwest India in May.