IMD predicts cloudy conditions in Delhi, heat wave unlikely till June 27

The India Meteorological Department’s forecast indicates that Delhi can expect cloudy weather and light rain on Wednesday and Thursday, with no return of heatwave conditions until June 27. This comes after intermittent rain in the city over the past few days due to the remnants of Cyclone Biparjoy.

Delhi’s primary weather station, the Safdarjung Observatory, recorded a minimum temperature of 27.4 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is expected to reach around 38 degrees Celsius. The forecast suggests that maximum temperatures will remain below 40 degrees Celsius for the next five to six days.

Rainfall in Delhi has been below normal, with the Safdarjung Observatory measuring 20.3 mm against a normal of 38.3 mm, resulting in a deficit of 47 percent. However, the India Meteorological Department’s extended range model guidance indicates an increase in rain over northwest India in the last week of June.

The arrival date of the monsoon in Delhi has not yet been announced by the MeT office, although it typically reaches the national capital by June 27. This year, there have been no recorded heatwaves in Delhi, which meteorologists attribute to higher-than-usual western disturbances, weather systems originating in the Mediterranean region that bring unseasonal rainfall to northwest India during the pre-monsoon season (March to May).

In May, Delhi experienced heavy rainfall, with 111 mm recorded, which was 262 percent higher than the long-term average of 30.7 mm and the fourth highest in the month since record-keeping began. In April, the city saw over 20 mm of rainfall, the highest for the month since 2017, along with isolated pockets of heatwave conditions.

On Wednesday, rain caused traffic jams in various parts of Delhi-NCR. (With inputs from PTI)