Monsoon – Delhi Receives Seasonal Rainfall After Delayed Arrival
Monsoon – The southwest monsoon reached Delhi on Thursday, bringing relief after several days of humid conditions and intense heat. The seasonal rains arrived five days later than the usual onset date, with light showers reported in parts of the capital during the morning. Cloud cover persisted through much of the day, contributing to a noticeable fall in temperatures.
Rainfall Expected to Increase This Weekend
Meteorologists said another round of monsoon conditions is likely to develop over Delhi and neighbouring parts of northwest India by July 5. The expected change is linked to the northward movement of the seasonal trough, which may support more widespread rainfall across the region.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Friday. The forecast indicates generally cloudy skies and moderate rainfall in some areas. Minimum and maximum temperatures are likely to remain close to 22 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Thursday’s arrival was also notable because it was Delhi’s first monsoon onset in July since 2021. In that year, the monsoon reached the capital on July 13. The weather office confirmed the latest onset after atmospheric conditions became favourable for the seasonal system to advance over the region.
Temperatures Fall Below Seasonal Average
Rain and cloud cover brought daytime and nighttime temperatures below normal levels at several weather stations across Delhi. At Safdarjung, the city’s main weather observatory, the maximum temperature was recorded at 33 degrees Celsius, which was 4.4 degrees below the seasonal average. The minimum temperature settled at 22.8 degrees Celsius, 5.1 degrees below normal.
The Safdarjung station also reported Delhi’s lowest minimum temperature for this period since July 21, 2021, when the mercury had fallen to 22.4 degrees Celsius.
At Palam, the maximum temperature stood at 33 degrees Celsius, 4.8 degrees below normal, while the minimum was 21.2 degrees Celsius, lower than the average by 6.6 degrees. Lodi Road recorded a maximum of 33 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 23.6 degrees Celsius.
The Ridge weather station registered a high of 33.8 degrees Celsius and a low of 21 degrees Celsius. Ayanagar recorded one of the lower daytime readings, with the maximum reaching 32.4 degrees Celsius. Its minimum temperature was measured at 22.6 degrees Celsius.
Light Showers Recorded at Key Stations
Rainfall remained limited at most monitoring stations on Thursday. Safdarjung recorded cumulative rainfall of 4.6 mm until 8.30 am, with no additional rain measured during the day.
Palam received 1.9 mm of rainfall in the morning, while Ayanagar recorded 5 mm during the same period. Both stations later reported only trace rainfall. Lodi Road received 4.1 mm, and the Ridge station recorded 3 mm before 8.30 am. No significant rainfall was reported at these locations later in the day.
Delayed Monsoon Follows Hot Pre-Monsoon Season
The arrival of the monsoon follows a warmer-than-usual pre-monsoon period in Delhi. Data from the India Meteorological Department showed that the city experienced its warmest summer nights in four years during the March-to-June season.
The average minimum temperature during the pre-monsoon months was 22.9 degrees Celsius, the highest such seasonal average since 2022. The period included early pre-monsoon showers, prolonged hot conditions, short but severe heatwave episodes and high humidity before the monsoon advance.
With the seasonal system now active over Delhi, residents may see more frequent rain spells in the coming days. Weather officials have advised people to remain alert for localised waterlogging and traffic disruptions during periods of moderate rainfall.