Delhi witnessed a brief spell of relief on Friday afternoon as cloudy skies and light rain swept across the city. However, the change in weather did little to bring down the soaring temperatures. The capital recorded its hottest day of the season so far, with the maximum temperature touching 41C.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast a partly cloudy sky with light rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in the afternoon and evening. As predicted, several parts of the city experienced rainfall along with strong winds.
A yellow alert was issued later in the evening, with moderate rain, thunderstorms and wind speeds reaching 40 to 60 kmph reported across most areas.
Rainfall recorded across stations
According to IMD data, most weather activity was concentrated between 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Palam recorded the highest rainfall at 16 mm, followed by Safdarjung at 10.4 mm. Other areas saw lighter showers, with Mayur Vihar receiving 6.5 mm, Janakpuri 4 mm and Pitampura 0.5 mm.
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Some stations, such as Lodhi Road and Aryanagar, saw only trace rainfall earlier in the day. The Ridge station recorded minimal rainfall, while Najafgarh did not receive any rain.
Why the temperature stayed high
Despite the rain, temperatures remained elevated. The maximum temperature was 4.2C above normal, while the minimum stood at 24C, which is 2.4C above average.
Weather experts attributed the activity to a cyclonic circulation over northwestern Rajasthan and nearby Haryana, along with a trough extending towards Delhi. Moisture from the Arabian Sea contributed to pre-monsoon conditions like thunderstorms and dust.
However, such rainfall typically occurs later in the day, after temperatures have already peaked, limiting its cooling effect.
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Forecast for the coming days
The IMD has indicated that similar conditions may persist over the next few days. The temperature is likely to reach around 42C over the weekend, with slight fluctuations early next week before rising again.
Minimum temperatures may see a marginal dip, ranging between 20C and 24C.
Delhi’s air quality remained a concern, staying in the moderate to poor category. The AQI on April 18 stood at 154, which can affect children and people with respiratory conditions.
The coming week is expected to see mostly clear skies, with temperatures hovering close to 40C, indicating continued heat across the city.
