Weather – Delhi Sees Sharp Temperature Drop After Rain and Cloud Cover
Weather – Delhi experienced a noticeable change in weather conditions on Friday as thick clouds covered the sky and light rainfall was reported in several parts of the city. The shift brought significant relief from the intense heat that had gripped the national capital for weeks. According to meteorological data, the city’s daytime temperature dropped substantially, marking the lowest maximum temperature recorded in the last three weeks.
Significant Fall in Daytime Temperatures
The maximum temperature in Delhi settled at 36.8 degrees Celsius on Friday. This was the lowest daytime reading since May 8, when the city had recorded a maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius. Over the past several weeks, temperatures had steadily risen, crossing 45 degrees Celsius during an extended spell of heatwave conditions. However, changing weather patterns over the last two days led to a sharp decline across multiple weather stations in the capital.
Data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed that temperatures dropped considerably during the previous 48 hours. Safdarjung, considered the city’s primary weather observatory, recorded a fall of 7.5 degrees Celsius, with the maximum temperature decreasing from 44.3 degrees Celsius on May 27 to 36.8 degrees Celsius on Friday.
Different Areas Witness Sharp Cooling
Several other parts of Delhi also reported substantial reductions in temperature. The Ridge observatory registered a decline of 8.8 degrees Celsius, with the maximum temperature falling from 45.6 degrees Celsius to 36.8 degrees Celsius.
The most significant cooling was observed at Ayanagar and Palam. Both locations recorded a drop of 9.4 degrees Celsius in their maximum temperatures. Ayanagar’s temperature decreased from 45.4 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius, while Palam saw the mercury fall from 44.6 degrees Celsius to 35.2 degrees Celsius.
Lodhi Road also experienced a notable reduction, with the maximum temperature dropping by 8.9 degrees Celsius from 44.6 degrees Celsius to 35.7 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature at Safdarjung was recorded at 25.3 degrees Celsius, which was 1.3 degrees below the seasonal average.
Rainfall Recorded Across Parts of the Capital
Light to moderate rainfall accompanied the cooler conditions in several areas. During the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Friday, Safdarjung received 4.0 mm of rain. Palam recorded 4.3 mm, while Ayanagar reported 3.8 mm.
Lodhi Road registered only trace amounts of rainfall, and no measurable rain was recorded at the Ridge station during the same period.
The cloud cover and scattered showers helped ease the severe heat, bringing more comfortable weather conditions to residents across the city.
Thunderstorm Activity Expected to Continue
The IMD has indicated that rain and thunderstorm activity are likely to continue through May 31. For Saturday, weather officials have forecast a minimum temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature near 35 degrees Celsius.
A yellow alert has also been issued, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by rain in different parts of Delhi.
Weather Systems Behind the Change
According to Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather, multiple weather systems are contributing to the ongoing change. These include a western disturbance affecting the northern hills, an induced cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan and nearby regions, and moisture-laden winds arriving from the Bay of Bengal.
Palawat noted that these combined factors have increased moisture levels over Delhi, creating favorable conditions for widespread rainfall.
He added that the current pre-monsoon weather spell is expected to be more active than similar rain events witnessed in April and earlier this month, potentially resulting in broader rainfall coverage across the national capital in the coming days.