Delhi Heatwave: Monday Was Season's Hottest Day At 43.4°C; Tuesday Might Be Worse At 45°C

Delhi weather today is expected to remain extremely harsh as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that temperatures in the national capital could climb to 44-45 degrees Celsius amid continuing heat wave conditions across northwest India. The IMD has issued a yellow heat wave alert for Delhi and NCR

for Tuesday, cautioning residents about excessive heat, rising heat stress and hot dry winds through the week.

The warning comes a day after Delhi recorded its hottest day of the season on Monday, when Safdarjung — the city’s base weather station — logged a maximum temperature of 43.4°C, around 3 degrees above normal. Several other parts of the capital also witnessed scorching conditions, with Ridge recording 44.6°C and Ayanagar touching

44.4°C.

According to the weather forecast, maximum temperatures in Delhi are likely to remain between 43°C and 45°C on Tuesday and Wednesday, before dipping marginally to 42°C-44°C later this week. Strong surface winds gusting up to 35-40 kmph are also expected during daytime hours.

Why Delhi Is Experiencing Such Extreme Heat

Weather experts said the current spell has intensified due to the absence of active western disturbances and pre-monsoon rainfall activity over north India.

Hindustan Times quoted Mahesh Palawat, Vice President at Skymet Weather, as saying that dry and hot winds from western and northwestern regions are pushing temperatures higher across Delhi, and that no major relief is expected in the coming days.

A New Indian Express also quoted Palawat as explaining that northwesterly winds travelling across the Thar Desert region become intensely dry before reaching Delhi, trapping heat near the surface and worsening conditions across the city.

Meteorologists have also said there is currently no forecast of thunderstorms or significant rainfall activity over the next several days, prolonging the ongoing heat wave conditions.

What Is a Heat Wave? IMD Explains Heat Wave Alert Criteria

With Delhi under a heat wave alert, many residents are searching for what exactly qualifies as a heat wave and how the IMD defines such conditions.

According to the IMD, a heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius in plains and remains 4.5 degrees Celsius or more above normal. A heat wave may also be declared if temperatures touch 45 degrees Celsius or above irrespective of the departure from normal temperatures.

A severe heat wave is declared when temperatures exceed normal levels by 6.5 degrees Celsius or more. For an official declaration, these conditions typically need to persist across at least two weather stations in a meteorological subdivision for two consecutive days.

The yellow alert issued by the IMD signals that residents should remain cautious and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours.

Delhi Air Quality Index Remains Moderate Amid Excessive Heat

Alongside the soaring temperatures, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) has also shown signs of worsening. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded Delhi’s AQI in the ‘moderate’ category at around 173-174, with forecasts suggesting it could slip into the ‘poor’ category by midweek.

Experts warned that the combination of pollution and excessive heat could aggravate respiratory illnesses and heat-related health problems, especially among children, senior citizens and people with existing medical conditions.

Peak Power Demand Climbs as Heatwave Tightens Grip

The rising temperatures have also triggered a surge in electricity demand across the capital. Delhi’s peak power demand climbed to 7,542 MW on Monday — the highest recorded so far this summer — amid increased use of cooling appliances. Officials estimate that power demand could cross 9,000 MW later in the season if temperatures continue to rise.

Weather in Delhi for Next 15 Days

While long-range forecasts may change, weather experts currently expect the weather in Delhi for next 15 days to remain largely hot and dry, with no immediate signs of widespread rainfall activity that could bring substantial relief from the ongoing heat spell.