Delhi is set to witness continued monsoon activity over the next few days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting generally cloudy skies, intermittent light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds, even as temperatures remain below the seasonal average.
The prevailing weather is being influenced by an active monsoon trough stretching from Sri Ganganagar to the northwest Bay of Bengal, along with an upper air cyclonic circulation over Haryana and its adjoining areas.
Another cyclonic circulation over southwest Rajasthan and a trough extending from the west-central Bay of Bengal to the northeast Arabian Sea are also contributing to favourable conditions for rainfall across the National Capital Region.
Over the past 24 hours, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning was recorded at most places across Delhi, leading to a drop in both daytime and night-time temperatures. Maximum temperatures fell by 1-2 degrees Celsius while minimum temperatures declined by 1-3 degrees Celsius.
At Safdarjung, the city’s base weather station, the maximum temperature settled at 31.2 degrees Celsius, nearly 3.7 degrees below normal, while the minimum was 25.6 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degrees below normal. The station recorded 10.6 mm of rainfall till 8.30 am, followed by another 0.6 mm during the day. Humidity remained extremely high, ranging between 81 and 100 per cent.
Rainfall was reported across several parts of the city, with Pusa receiving 20 mm, Ridge 18.6 mm, Ayanagar 17.4 mm, Palam 15 mm, and Lodhi Road 12.2 mm during the 24-hour period ending Tuesday morning.
According to the IMD it is likely to remain cloudy with intermittent very light to light rain at many places and moderate rain at a few locations. Strong surface winds of 20-30 kmph, gusting up to 40 kmph, are expected during the evening and night.
On Wednesday (July 22), Delhi is expected to record a maximum temperature between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. The forecast indicates one or two spells of light rain at many places, moderate showers at isolated locations, and another spell of rain during the evening. Gusty winds reaching 40 kmph may occur from early morning till noon.
Light rain is likely to continue on July 23 and 24, with cloudy skies dominating. Rain activity is expected to weaken from July 25 onward, although overcast conditions are likely to persist. Maximum temperatures are forecast to gradually rise to 33-35 degrees Celsius by the weekend, but the IMD has said there will be no significant change in daytime temperatures over the next seven days.