Sizzling Forty Degree Weekend Ahead For Delhi: Dry Weather Week Likely
Representational Image: AI-Skymet
Key Takeaways:
- Delhi recorded its highest temperature of the month at 39.2°C despite morning rain activity.
- Evening thunderstorms, hail and winds near 100 kmph disrupted flights and traffic across NCR.
- Similar short-duration weather activity may continue around Delhi/NCR for another day.
- Heatwave-like conditions and “loo” winds may intensify next week with temperatures touching 42°C.
Bizarre weather conditions hit many parts of Delhi yesterday. Earlier in the day, Delhi witnessed a brief spell of rain and gusty winds between 9 and 10 a.m. The relief was too short and limited, as rising humidity and bright sunshine in the afternoon pushed the mercury higher, and the capital city recorded a maximum temperature of 39.2°C, the highest so far this month. A rapid weather shift struck again in the evening when a sudden hailstorm in some areas, thunderstorm and lightning activity across NCR, and strong winds reaching nearly 100 kmph paralysed air operations at Palam Airport. The inclement weather disrupted traffic, slowed commutes, uprooted trees, and resulted in power outages. The sudden weather shift impacted air operations significantly, with over 500 flights delayed, 15 diverted, and six forced to carry out “go-arounds” due to bad weather.
Typical pre-monsoonal weather patterns still persist over and around the Delhi region. There are two small-scale cyclonic circulations: one over North Rajasthan and Punjab, and the second over Southwest and Central Uttar Pradesh. The east-west trough joining the two runs very close to Delhi and has micro-scale bubbles embedded within it. A similar pattern is expected tomorrow as well around Delhi/NCR. Therefore, the weather activity is not yet over, and short-duration spells of mild weather activity may pop up once again.
Light surface winds and a fair amount of insolation will increase heat stress. The temperature is likely to reach around 40°C today (+/- 1°C). Tall convective thunderclouds remain a possibility during the late evening hours. Distant thunder, flashes of lightning, and strong gusty winds cannot be ruled out. Weather conditions will turn benign, except for rising heat, from Saturday onwards. While sky conditions are expected to remain mostly clear next week, soaring temperatures will remain a concern. The mercury may rise up to 42°C, and strong surface winds may trigger “loo” conditions.
