Delhi weather: mercury below 40 degree Celsius, relief ahead
The India Meteorological Department said that it was cloudy in Delhi on Tuesday, due to which the temperature dropped below 40 degrees Celsius for the first time this month. The Safdarjung Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 39.6 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature was recorded at 31.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal. The maximum temperature recorded on Monday was 43.7 degree Celsius.
The weather stations in the national capital recorded the maximum temperature between 38 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius. In the coming days, continuous Western Disturbance and low level easterly is predicted, due to which the heat is likely to remain subdued.
According to IMD data, the capital has recorded a maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius and above in 26 days so far this summer, the highest since 2012. In 2012, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 42 °C or more for 30 days.
The number of such days in 2010 was 35, the highest in the period 1951-2022, the data showed. The city has seen six heatwaves this summer, the deadliest being in mid-May when the maximum temperature reached 49 degrees Celsius in some places. The latest heatwave spell began on June 2 amidst the absence of a strong Western Disturbance and onslaught of hot and dry westerly winds.
When is monsoon arriving in Delhi?
Pre-Monsoon activity is expected to increase till June 16. According to the IMD, the mercury will drop to 41 degree Celsius by Wednesday and there is likely to be a big relief from the scorching heat from June 16.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert warning of thunderstorms or light rain in the next six days. The mercury is expected to drop to 35 degree Celsius by Sunday. Since June 1, when the monsoon season begins, the capital has not recorded any rainfall. Usually the first 13 days of the month receive 13.8 mm of rain.
Mahesh Palawat, vice-president (climate change and meteorology), Skymet Weather, said that the monsoon in Delhi is expected to arrive on June 27 or a day or two before the normal date. Last year, the IMD had predicted that the monsoon would reach Delhi about two weeks before its normal date. However, it reached the capital only on 13 July, making it the most delayed in 19 years.
Monsoon arrives in Gujarat
An India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said that the southwest monsoon reached Gujarat on Monday, two days ahead of schedule, causing heavy rains in Mahisagar district and some other parts of the state.
The IMD center in Ahmedabad said in a bulletin on Monday afternoon that conditions are favorable for further advance of monsoon into parts of Gujarat. The official said rain and thundershowers are very likely to occur in some parts of the state during the next five days.
Manorama Mohanty, head of the Meteorological Center, said, “The southwest monsoon entered Gujarat on Monday. Usually, June 15 is the likely date for the onset of monsoon in the state.”
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