IMD Issues Yellow Alert For Light Rain And Thunderstorms In Delhi On Tuesday

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Delhi on Tuesday, forecasting light rain spells accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph. The expected weather, driven by an approaching western disturbance, follows recent light rainfall across several parts of the capital, including Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge, and Ayanagar.

According to the IMD, the western disturbance, alongside a cyclonic circulation over northwest Rajasthan and central Pakistan, is expected to impact the weather in northwest India. The weather department has predicted one or two spells of very light to light rain during the day on Tuesday.

As a result of the weather system, temperatures are expected to remain below normal. The maximum temperature over the next six days is projected to stay below 34 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is expected to remain under 20 degrees Celsius. This continues a recent pattern, as Delhi has experienced light rain and below-normal temperatures off and on for the past 15 days, following an unseasonably warm start in March.

On Saturday, the maximum temperature in the capital was recorded at 32 degrees Celsius, which is two degrees below normal. The minimum temperature was 20.7 degrees Celsius, representing 1.9 degrees above normal due to overcast skies trapping heat during the night.

This temperature trend follows light rain recorded between 11:30 pm on Friday and 8:30 am on Saturday. During this timeframe, Ayanagar received 5.8 mm of rain, while Palam and Ridge both recorded 1.9 mm. Lodhi Road registered 0.3 mm of rainfall.

The precipitation and subsequent increase in wind speed have also led to a significant improvement in the capital's air quality. Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) improved from a "poor" rating of 266 on Friday to a "moderate" rating of 137 on Saturday. The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) has indicated that the AQI is expected to remain in the moderate category until Friday.