Delhi recorded its warmest morning in two years on Sunday, as the minimum temperature settled at 31.1 degrees Celsius, 3.2 degrees above the seasonal average, while the maximum rose to 41.8 degrees Celsius amid delayed arrival of the southwest monsoon, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The last time the minimum temperature in the city rose was on June 14, 2024, when it was recorded at 33.3 degrees Celsius.
According to the Meteorological Office, a heat wave occurred over Delhi, and the maximum temperature at 5.30 pm was around 50.7 degrees Celsius.
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The maximum temperature at Safdarjung, the city’s main station, was 41.8 degrees Celsius, 4.6 degrees above normal. The IMD said the minimum temperature was 31.1 degrees Celsius.
Other meteorological 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.
The minimum temperature remained above normal at all the five IMD observatories in the city.
Safdarjung base station recorded a minimum of 31.1°C, followed by 30°C at Palam, 30.2°C at Lodhi Road, 28.7°C at Ridge, and 29°C at Ayanagar.
Deviations from the seasonal average ranged from 1.4°C in Ayanagar to 3.2°C in both Safdarjung and Lodhi Road.
Meteorological agency Skymet said the delay in the onset of the monsoon and the interaction of dry and wet winds led to unusually high temperatures and humidity.
“Normally, monsoon reaches Delhi around June 27-28, after which temperatures start falling and humidity increases. But this year, 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 also reach Delhi and increase humidity,” said Mahesh Palawat, Skymet’s Vice President, Meteorology and Climate Change.
He added: “When these dry and moist air masses interact, clouds form, but there is not enough moisture for widespread precipitation. By the time cloud formation occurs, usually around 4 or 5 p.m., the maximum temperature for the day has already been recorded. That is why the maximum temperature and ‘feel’ temperature have remained unusually high.”
The monsoon is expected to advance into eastern Uttar Pradesh by June 30 or July 1, reach Uttarakhand around July 2 or 3, and reach Delhi around July 4 if conditions remain favourable, Palawat said.
“We also expect a small cyclonic circulation to occur over the next few days, which may lead to scattered spells of rain,” he added.
The relative humidity at 5:30 pm was 44%.
Today, Monday, the General Authority of Meteorology expected thunderstorms and rain, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to reach 41 degrees Celsius. The air quality was recorded in the “moderate” category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 162, according to the Samir application.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 to 100 is “satisfactory”, 101 to 200 is “moderate”, 201 to 300 is “poor”, 301 to 400 is “very poor” and 401 to 500 is “severe”.
