New Delhi: The day temperature in the national capital surpassed 40 degrees Celsius for the first time in May this year on Thursday. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the mercury is likely to rise further and may reach 44 degrees Celsius by Monday.
Temperature and Humidity Details
The maximum temperature was recorded at 40.6 degrees Celsius, which is one degree above the normal for this time of the year. However, the humidity also remained high, with the heat index or feel-like temperature settling at 42.9 degrees Celsius at 5:30 pm. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was 39.2 degrees Celsius, but the weather took a sudden turn during the night when rain accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorms hit the city.
Rain Forecast and Western Disturbance
Though the Met department had predicted a spell of rain on Thursday, no rainfall was recorded till 5:30 pm. A Met official stated, "A feeble western disturbance is expected to impact from Friday, but it is unlikely to cause rain in Delhi-NCR. A gradual rise in mercury is expected in the city over the next few days." The mercury is expected to remain between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius until May 17 and may touch 44 degrees Celsius by May 18.
Comparison with Previous Months and Years
So far in May, daytime temperatures have mostly stayed below normal as frequent rain spells and overcast skies have kept the mercury in check. Safdarjung has logged 12.7 mm of rainfall in the month so far. However, the mercury remained above 40 degrees Celsius on many days in April, with the season's high recorded at 42.8 degrees Celsius on April 25. The city also experienced its first heatwave of the season on April 25.
In May last year, the highest maximum temperature was reported at 42.3 degrees Celsius on May 16. In 2024, the maximum temperature reached 46.8 degrees Celsius on May 30, and in 2023, it was 43.7 degrees Celsius on May 23.
Minimum Temperature and Air Quality
The minimum temperature on Thursday settled at 23.4 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal. It is likely to rise and reach 26 degrees Celsius by Sunday.
Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the 'moderate' category on Thursday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was 154, compared with 147 a day earlier. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, which operates under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, the air quality is forecast to remain in the 'moderate' range until Saturday and may hover between poor and moderate categories during the next six days thereafter.
