After an unusually hot spell and delayed onset of the southwest monsoon, Delhi and many parts of northern India may finally be on their way to relief.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday said conditions are favorable for monsoon to advance further across northern states over the next five to six days, while warning that heatwave conditions are likely to persist in parts of Uttar Pradesh for now, according to a PTI report.
According to IMD, the monsoon is expected to cover more parts of North Arabian Sea, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the next two-three days.
Read also | Delhi on Sunday witnessed its warmest morning in two years amid monsoon delay
When will Delhi receive rainfall?
Delhi is likely to receive monsoon by July 4 if conditions remain favourable, private weather company Skymet said.
The agency report added that the meteorological agency attributed the delay to the interaction of dry westerly winds coming from Pakistan and moisture-laden southwesterly winds coming from the Arabian Sea, a combination that led to high temperatures and humidity without widespread rainfall.
Read also | Strong winds in parts of Delhi-NCR bring relief from heat, IMD orange alert for thunderstorms
An expert explains Delhi’s weather
“Normally, the monsoon reaches Delhi around June 27-28. But this year it is likely to be delayed by about a week,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, meteorology and climate change at Skymet.
Explaining the prevailing weather, Palawat said dry and humid air masses are interacting over Delhi, resulting in cloud formation but the humidity is insufficient for widespread rainfall.
Because clouds typically only develop in the late afternoon, after the peak temperature of the day has already been recorded, actual temperatures and “like” temperatures have remained unusually high.
Delhi continued to rise in temperatures on Sunday, recording its warmest morning in two years. The minimum temperature settled at 31.1 degrees Celsius, 3.2 degrees higher than normal, while the maximum rose to 41.8 degrees Celsius.
According to the IMD, the city witnessed heatwave conditions, with the temperature reaching around 50.7 degrees Celsius at 5.30 pm. Thunderstorms accompanied by rain are expected on Monday.
The IMD also warned of heatwave conditions, which could be severe, in parts of Uttar Pradesh on June 28 and 29. Prayagraj recorded a maximum temperature of 43.4 degrees Celsius, while Lucknow reached 39.7 degrees Celsius, 3.6 degrees above normal.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are also likely to occur at isolated places in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Read also | The heat wave raises the temperature in Delhi to 51 degrees Celsius, which is the highest this year. Possibility of rain starting Monday
Weather forecast in Shimla and J&K
Elsewhere, the Meteorological Center in Shimla forecast a wet spell in Himachal Pradesh until July 4, with a fresh western disturbance expected to affect northwest India from July 2. A thunderstorm watch with gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour has been issued for isolated places between June 30 and July 4. Light rain and thunderstorms were reported from parts of Shimla, Kangra and Mandi in the last 24 hours.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 33.8 degrees Celsius, 3.8 degrees above normal, while Jammu touched 37 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Office has forecast pre-monsoon rains in the plains of Jammu on June 29, with heavy rains, thunderstorms and gusty winds expected at isolated places.
