Delhi Witnesses Light Rain on Vasant Panchami After Dry Winter Spell
After enduring weeks of dry winter weather, Delhi finally received a brief spell of rain in the early hours of Friday, January 23. Residents woke up to light showers accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami. This rainfall, though limited in intensity, marked the first significant wet spell of the month, providing much-needed relief from deteriorating air quality and increasing dust levels that had characterized the capital's winter season.
IMD Forecast and Weather Patterns
According to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) seven-day forecast issued on January 22, Delhi was likely to experience one or two spells of light rain on January 23, with possibilities of thunderstorms and lightning during early or forenoon hours. Another round of very light to light rain was expected later in the afternoon or evening. The showers resulted from an extended rainfall shortage that January 2026 had experienced so far.
IMD data revealed that until this spell, Delhi had not recorded any measurable rainy day, with cumulative rainfall at Safdarjung—the city's primary observatory—remaining at "trace" levels against a normal monthly average of 12.6 mm. The brief precipitation on Friday morning, while welcome, is unlikely to significantly alter the seasonal shortfall, but it has brought a short-lived improvement in surface moisture conditions and visibility.
Temperature and Visibility Conditions
Early Friday morning, the minimum temperature in Delhi stood at around 6.3 degrees Celsius, close to normal for this time of year. Meteorological observations indicated reduced fog formation, with visibility conditions improving slightly after several consecutive days of shallow fog. The prolonged dry spell had coincided with fluctuating temperatures, with maximum temperatures on Thursday rising well above normal. Safdarjung recorded a high of 27.1 degrees Celsius, nearly seven degrees above the seasonal average, while minimum temperatures remained closer to normal.
Humidity levels reached 100% in the morning hours, and shallow fog reduced visibility to 700 metres at Safdarjung and 800 metres at Palam. However, the lack of rainfall meant that surface moisture remained insufficient to produce any sustained wet spells.
Western Disturbance Influence
The light rain was accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, signalling the influence of a western disturbance that has begun affecting northwest India. This weather phenomenon, which forms over the Mediterranean and shifts towards eastern India, typically impacts the country during winter. IMD officials have indicated that a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from January 26 onwards, potentially bringing additional cloudiness and light precipitation to parts of the region.
Before that system arrives, temperatures are expected to fluctuate sharply. Minimum temperatures are forecast to rise by five to six degrees Celsius in the next 24 hours, followed by a fall of similar magnitude over the subsequent four days. Maximum temperatures are expected to dip below normal on January 24 and 25 before stabilising later in the week.
District-Wise Forecast and Rainfall Expectations
District-wise forecasting shows that all major areas of Delhi, including North Delhi, North-East Delhi, North West Delhi, West Delhi, and South Delhi, will experience similar weather conditions on Friday. These include a generally cloudy sky, fog, and light rainfall at times throughout the day. However, meteorologists note that the rain spells are expected to be brief in nature and light in intensity, reducing dryness on road surfaces temporarily but not heavy enough to make up for the significant shortfall.
The rainfall is expected to be accompanied by gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour, marking a brief change from the calm and stable conditions that have prevailed over the past several days. The forecast suggests that after the January 23 rain spell, no significant rainfall is expected until at least January 26, when the next western disturbance begins to influence the region.
Impact on Visibility and Air Quality
Even light rain has a significant effect on local weather conditions. Meteorologists share that such rainfall improves visibility as dust particles and pollution levels decrease in the short term. Morning fog is expected to prevail over the next few days, with shallow to moderate fog anticipated over Delhi until January 28. On January 24, strong surface winds of 20 to 30 kilometres per hour are expected, which could further aid in dispersing pollutants.
Temperature Fluctuations and Wind Patterns
The early morning rain on Friday coincided with a sharp shift in weather patterns. According to IMD's forecast, maximum temperatures are expected to fall significantly, dropping to between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius on January 23, with minimum temperatures rising temporarily to between 11 and 13 degrees before falling again over the weekend. Surface winds strengthened during the rain spell, with gusts reaching 30 to 40 kilometres per hour in some areas. Such winds, combined with light precipitation, are expected to aid in dispersing pollutants and improving near-surface air quality conditions, at least temporarily.
This weather development brings a momentary respite to Delhi's residents, offering a glimpse of relief amid the ongoing winter challenges.
