IMD Predicts Dry Week and Rising Temperatures for Delhi After Heavy Rain
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a mostly dry week for Delhi from Sunday to Thursday, with temperatures set to rise following two days of heavy rainfall. The dry spell is expected to affect areas across the capital, including Safdarjung, as the monsoon trough shifts towards the foothills of the Himalayas.
According to the IMD, maximum temperatures in the capital are expected to rise to between 37°C and 39°C starting Sunday. Temperatures are projected to remain in this elevated range through Thursday. This shift comes after a brief forecast of very light to light rain on Saturday morning or forenoon, which is expected to be the last precipitation for several days.
Amateur meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya noted on Friday that dry westerly winds over the next five to seven days will significantly reduce rainfall in most parts of Delhi, as well as neighbouring states like Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Dahiya warned that the combination of high humidity and strong sunshine will likely make outdoor conditions highly uncomfortable. He estimated that the heat index, which measures how hot it feels when humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature, could rise to between 45°C and 50°C.
This upcoming dry and hot period follows a spell of intense wet weather earlier in the week. On Wednesday and Thursday, several parts of Delhi recorded more than 100 mm of rain. Specifically, the Safdarjung weather station recorded 106.2 mm of rain over those two days.
By Friday, the heavy rains had largely subsided, with the city receiving only light showers during the early morning hours. Safdarjung recorded just 1.2 mm of rain on Friday. The maximum temperature on Friday was recorded at 33.3°C, while the minimum temperature stood at 25.8°C. At 5:30 pm on Friday, the heat index was already recorded at 40.5°C, compared to an actual temperature of 32.8°C.
The change in weather has also begun to impact the city's air quality. On Thursday, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 48, placing it in the "good" category for the first time since September 10, 2023. However, by Friday, the average AQI rose to 65, moving back into the "satisfactory" category.
