No Sharp Rise Of Mercury In Delhi: Dry Weather To Continue
Key Takeaways:
- Delhi temperatures have remained around 30°C between 23rd–26th Feb, about 4°C above normal.
- February’s highest of 31.6°C (16th Feb) may remain the peak for the month.
- Back-to-back western disturbances are preventing any sharp spike in mercury.
- Dry weather and strong winds will continue over Delhi/NCR for the next 7–10 days.
Delhi temperature has been hovering around 30°C for the last four days, between 23rd and 26th Feb 2026. These are above normal by about 4°C. Base station Safdarjung recorded a day maximum of 30.2°C yesterday. The minimum temperatures have also remained steady at about 12°C during this period. The city had earlier registered the highest of 31.6°C on 16th Feb 2026 and thereafter has literally been struggling to reach the 31°C mark. The capital city does not stand a chance for any sharp rise over the next 4-5 days. The month of March is likely to begin with a similar range and possibly pick up after the first week.
There is nothing unusual about suppression of day temperature over the last few days, despite abundant sunshine. In the past, the month of February never reached the 30°C mark in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024. Yes, last year, the highest in February touched 32.4°C on 26th Feb. During this month, the maximum of 31.6°C recorded on 16th Feb 2026 may remain the highest. Over the next three days of the month, the maximum may touch around 31°C. This will also be significant, as the mercury will remain persistently above normal by 4°-5°C.
There are two reasons arresting any sharp rise in temperature. There have been a series of westerly systems moving across the mountains over the last 10 days or so. These systems were mild and mostly confined to the mid and higher reaches of the region. These disturbances leave relatively colder air in their wake, which suppresses a spike in mercury. Also, the passage of these systems is triggering stronger winds between 3,000’ and 5,000’ height. The mixing of air due to speedy winds is restricting radiational warming in the layers below the friction level.
A pair of western disturbances is approaching soon and will affect weather over the hilly areas yet again. Presently, there is a western disturbance as an upper air trough, slightly higher in latitude, across North Pakistan and adjoining Afghanistan. Another western disturbance will approach the Western Himalayas on 02nd Mar. Weather activity will continue over the hills between 03rd and 08th Mar 2026. Plains are unlikely to be affected, except for a slight change in the wind pattern. Strong winds are likely to prevail for the next one week or even more. These factors will deter any abrupt rise of mercury over Delhi/NCR. Weather conditions will stay dry, at least, for the next 10 days or so.
