Thunderstorms, light rain likely in Delhi; mercury may dip this week

The national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 27.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast thunderstorms accompanied by very light to light rain later in the day, with a gradual drop in temperatures expected over the coming week.

According to the IMD, Delhi is likely to witness a partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and surface winds of 20-30 kmph during the afternoon and night. The maximum temperature is expected to hover between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, while the minimum settled at 27.6 degrees Celsius.

The weather office said there would be no significant change in maximum temperatures over the next 48 hours, but a fall of 2-3 degrees Celsius is likely during the subsequent seven days as monsoon conditions strengthen over the region. A low-pressure area over southwest Rajasthan and another weather system over the Bay of Bengal are expected to enhance rainfall activity across north India, including Delhi.

Relative humidity stood at 78 per cent at 8.30 am. Easterly to northeasterly winds prevailed over the city, while humidity levels during the past 24 hours ranged between 58 and 85 per cent, making weather conditions muggy despite below-normal daytime temperatures.

During the previous 24 hours, only very light to light rainfall was recorded at a few places across Delhi. Safdarjung, the city’s base weather station, recorded no rainfall, while Palam received 2.2 mm of rain. The maximum temperature at Safdarjung touched 36 degrees Celsius, about 1.1 degrees above normal, while the minimum remained close to normal at 27.6 degrees Celsius.

The IMD has forecast that rainfall activity will intensify from Tuesday, with moderate rain likely at a few places on July 28 and 29, followed by light to moderate showers at many locations on July 30. The weather office has placed Delhi under a yellow watch for July 28 and 29, advising residents to stay updated on forecasts.

Meanwhile, the city’s air quality remained in the ‘satisfactory’ category on Sunday morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was 79 at 9 am. An AQI between 51 and 100 falls in the ‘satisfactory’ category, while readings between 101 and 200 are considered ‘moderate’.