Delhi on Sunday recorded its warmest morning in two years with the minimum temperature settling at 31.1 degrees Celsius while the maximum climbed to 41.8 degrees Celsius. During the day, the national capital’s “feel like” temperature hit 51.3 degree Celsius, the highest this year.
According to PTI, Delhi’s Safdarjung station recorded minimum temperature of 31.1 degrees Celsius, 3.2 notches above the seasonal average, while the maximum climbed to 41.8 degrees Celsius, 4.6 notches above normal. Relative humidity was recorded at 44 per cent at 5.30 pm.
Other weather stations also recorded high maximum temperatures, with Palam at 42 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road at 42.1 degrees Celsius, Ridge at 42.6 degrees Celsius and Ayanagar at 41.8 degrees Celsius.
However, the minimum temperature remained above normal across all five IMD observatories in the city.
Last time, a minimum temperature of 33.3 degree Celsius was recorded on June 14, 2024.
PTI quoted weather forecasting agency Skymet saying that the delay in the onset of the monsoon and the interaction of dry and moist winds have kept both temperatures and humidity unusually high.
“Normally, the monsoon reaches Delhi around June 27-28, after which temperatures begin to ease and humidity increases. This year, however, the monsoon is likely to be delayed by about a week. Dry westerly winds from Pakistan are keeping temperatures high, while southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea are also reaching Delhi and increasing humidity,” said Mahesh Palawat, Vice President (Meteorology and Climate Change), Skymet.
“When these dry and moist air masses interact, clouds do form, but there is not enough moisture for widespread rainfall. By the time cloud formation takes place, usually around 4 or 5 pm, the day’s maximum temperature has already been recorded. That is why both the maximum temperature and the ‘feel-like’ temperature have remained unusually high,” he said.
He further said that the monsoon will likely advance into east Uttar Pradesh by June 30 or July 1, reach Uttarakhand around July 2 or 3, and arrive in Delhi around July 4 if conditions remain favourable. “We are also expecting a small cyclonic circulation to develop over the next few days, which could trigger isolated spells of rain,” he added.
The weather department has also forecast rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds from Monday to Friday. A yellow alert has been issued for Tuesday and Wednesday.
