The southwest monsoon is likely to reach Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during the last week of June, according to the latest monsoon progression forecast issued by the India Meteorological
Department (IMD).
The weather department has indicated that the monsoon could arrive in Delhi, along with neighbouring cities such as Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad, between June 25 and June 30. Several other parts of northern India are also expected to receive seasonal rainfall during the same period, as reported by Mint.
Monsoon Continues Its Northward Advance
The southwest monsoon usually makes its onset over Kerala around June 1. This year, however, it arrived on June 4, three days later than the normal date. Following its expected arrival in Delhi, the monsoon is forecast to continue advancing across northwestern parts of the country, covering Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
For comparison, the monsoon reached Delhi on June 29 in 2025, two days later than the city’s normal onset date of June 27, which is based on long-term climatological data from 1961 to 2019.
Delhi Records Warm Conditions Ahead Of Monsoon
While the capital awaits the seasonal rains, hot weather conditions are expected to persist.
According to the IMD, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 27.7°C on Sunday morning, marginally above the seasonal average and higher than the previous day’s reading. The weather department forecast partly cloudy skies during the day, with the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning. The maximum temperature is expected to reach around 39°C.
Humidity levels stood at 55% at 8:30 am, reflecting the moisture gradually building up ahead of the monsoon’s arrival.
Air Quality Remains In The Moderate Category
Despite the warm weather, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 179 at 9 am.
Under CPCB guidelines, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.
Hot Spell To Continue Before Rainfall Brings Relief
The IMD’s forecast suggests that Delhi will continue to experience high temperatures over the coming days.
Temperatures are expected to remain between 28°C and 40-41°C through the first half of the week, accompanied by partly cloudy conditions and occasional thunderstorms. Strong surface winds and gusty conditions are also likely on some days.
A change in the weather pattern is anticipated around June 11, when thunderstorms and rainfall are expected to develop. The wet spell could continue into June 12, with maximum temperatures dropping to around 36 degrees Celsius, offering some relief from the prevailing heat.
Southwest Monsoon Advances Across Southern India
The IMD officially declared the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala on June 4, marking the beginning of India’s four-month rainy season. The weather system has since covered the entire Lakshadweep archipelago, Kerala and Mahe. It has also advanced across the remaining parts of the southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, signalling its continued progression across the country.
As the monsoon gradually moves northward, meteorologists will continue to monitor its pace and intensity, with Delhi and the NCR expected to be among the next major regions awaiting the arrival of the seasonal rains later this month.
