Delhi: Warmest February In Last Three Years, Least Rainiest Too
Key Takeaways:
- February 2026 ended nearly 3°C above normal in Delhi.
- Rainfall was extremely deficient at just 0.5 mm against 21.5 mm normal.
- March has started warm and dry, with temperatures already crossing 31°C at multiple stations.
- No active weather system is expected this week; warming will continue through Holi, with sharper rise likely later in March.
The month of February ended on a warm and dry note for Delhi. The highest temperature of the month failed to breach the 33°C mark and stopped short at 32.5°C, recorded on 28th February 2026. The monthly rainfall also remained one of the lowest at a mere 0.5 mm, against the normal of 21.5 mm. The day temperature persistently remained above normal, except on two days: 02nd February and 18th February 2026.
It was one of the hottest Februaries on record, with the day maximum temperature averaging 27.2°C against the normal of 24.2°C, a huge 3°C above average. Earlier, the mean monthly maximum temperature of 28.6°C was recorded in February 2023. The maximum temperature was at or above 30°C between 21st and 28th February 2026. Even the minimum temperature remained above normal on most occasions, slipping to the single-digit mark only on 8 days, when it hovered between 8°–9°C during the first half of the month.
The month of March has also started on a warm and dry note. The base station Safdarjung registered a day high of 30.7°C yesterday, about 4.6°C above normal. Many other observatories also recorded similar readings, with Ayanagar, Ridge, and Pitampura exceeding the 31°C mark. March has begun on a warm note and will continue at least for the first week.
Surface winds are expected to be stronger as a daily feature. This will suppress any sharp rise in mercury. It is unlikely to breach the 35°C mark during this week. No active weather system is likely over the plains, including Delhi, during this period. Minimal cloud cover and bright sunshine will sustain the warming trend, including on Holi. However, the upcoming weeks of March need to be watched for a sharp rise in day temperatures, more so in the second half of the month. This month is occasionally notorious for breaching the 40°C mark, as happened on 30th March 2021.
