Delhi Weather Update: Overcast Skies and Temperature Plunge
New Delhi continues to grapple with overcast conditions and sporadic very light rain on Thursday, following a day of intense weather activity. The city witnessed strong winds and heavy rainfall on Wednesday evening, resulting in a notable decline in daytime temperatures.
Weather Patterns and Rainfall Data
The sudden shift in weather was attributed to a western disturbance and the formation of convective clouds. Despite the dramatic change, rainfall intensity remained low across various monitoring stations in the capital.
- Safdarjung and Lodhi Road recorded 0.5 mm of rainfall
- Palam logged 0.2 mm
- Ayanagar measured 1.2 mm
- Rajghat reported 0.6 mm
- Mayur Vihar saw 3 mm
Temperature Trends and Forecast
The maximum temperature at Safdarjung, Delhi's base station, dropped sharply to 26.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday, marking a seven-degree decrease from the previous day's 33.8 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature settled at 17.6 degrees Celsius, slightly above normal.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Friday, predicting further weather disturbances. Forecasts indicate a slight fall of 2-3 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures over the next 24 hours, followed by a gradual rise. Friday's maximum is expected to range between 23-25 degrees Celsius.
Weather conditions on Friday are likely to include:
- Generally cloudy sky
- Very light rain with thunderstorms and strong surface winds of 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph in the morning
- One or two spells of light to moderate rain with similar wind conditions from forenoon to evening
Air Quality Improvement
Concurrently, Delhi's air quality showed significant improvement, shifting from poor to moderate levels. The Air Quality Index (AQI) registered 137 on Thursday, a substantial drop from 232 recorded the previous day. According to the air quality early warning system, moderate AQI levels are anticipated to persist from March 20 to March 22.
This weather update highlights the ongoing impact of western disturbances on Delhi's climate, with residents advised to stay prepared for continued rainfall and temperature fluctuations.
