After several days of relatively mild June weather, Delhi is set to witness a gradual rise in temperatures over the coming week, though intermittent thunderstorms and light rain are expected to provide brief relief from the heat, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The weather office said the maximum temperatures across the national capital are likely to increase by 4-6 degrees Celsius over the next seven days, while the minimum temperatures may rise by 3-5 degrees Celsius, signalling a return to hotter conditions as the city inches closer to the monsoon season.
On Saturday, Safdarjung, the city’s base weather station, recorded a maximum temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius, up by 2.9 degrees from the previous day but still 1.4 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature settled at 26.2 degrees Celsius, nearly five degrees higher than the previous day and 1.8 degrees below normal.
Across Delhi-NCR, maximum temperatures hovered between 37°C and 39°C, while minimum temperatures remained in the 23°C to 27°C range. No rainfall was recorded during the past 24 hours.
Meteorologists attributed the prevailing weather conditions to a persistent seasonal trough extending from West Rajasthan to Gangetic West Bengal, along with another trough stretching from central Uttar Pradesh to north Madhya Maharashtra, which continue to influence atmospheric conditions over north India.
The IMD noted that westerly winds with speeds of 15-20 kmph prevailed over Delhi during the past 24 hours. Humidity levels ranged from 37 per cent to 81 per cent, contributing to warm and somewhat muggy conditions.
For Sunday night, the forecast indicates a partly cloudy sky with the possibility of thundercloud development towards evening and night.
The most significant weather activity is expected on Monday (June 15) when Delhi may experience a spell of very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours.
Similar thunderstorm activity is possible again on June 16, while the following three days are expected to remain partly cloudy with steadily rising temperatures. By June 20, maximum temperatures could reach 42-44 degrees Celsius, making it one of the hottest days of the week, though another round of thunderstorms and gusty winds is forecast later in the day.
Despite the dry spell over the past 24 hours, Delhi’s rainfall performance for June remains near normal. The city has received 18 mm of cumulative rainfall so far this month against a normal of 16.6 mm, reflecting a marginal surplus.
Weather experts have advised residents to remain cautious during afternoon hours as temperatures climb through the week and to stay alert for sudden thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds, particularly on Monday and Friday.
The IMD said weather conditions will continue to be monitored closely as seasonal systems evolve over northern India in the run-up to the southwest monsoon’s advance into the region.