Weather – Delhi Records Hottest July Day in Nearly Two Years Amid Humid Conditions
Weather –Delhi witnessed its hottest day of July in almost two years on Thursday as soaring temperatures combined with high humidity made outdoor conditions uncomfortable. The city’s maximum temperature climbed to 39.2 degrees Celsius, while the much-awaited rainfall continued to stay away despite frequent cloud cover.
Moisture Fails to Produce Rainfall
Weather experts explained that moisture-laden southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea are reaching northern India and helping clouds develop over Delhi. However, a significant portion of the moisture is being exhausted over Gujarat before the winds reach the national capital. As a result, the clouds forming above Delhi are not carrying enough moisture to generate meaningful rainfall.
Mahesh Palawat, Vice President (Meteorology and Climate Change) at Skymet Weather, said the current weather pattern lacks a trigger capable of converting cloud formation into rainfall. According to him, although clouds are visible across the region, there is no active weather system in place to initiate precipitation, leaving the city under persistent hot and humid conditions.
Similar Weather Expected Over the Next Few Days
Meteorologists believe the prevailing weather is likely to continue for at least the next three days. During this period, daytime temperatures are expected to remain between 39 and 40 degrees Celsius, offering little relief from the heat.
Residents may continue to experience uncomfortable humidity levels, especially during the afternoon hours. The combination of high temperatures and moisture in the air is expected to make the weather feel even warmer than the actual recorded temperature.
IMD Forecast Indicates Rainfall Ahead
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected isolated to scattered rainfall across Delhi from July 16 to July 19. The forecast further suggests that rainfall activity could become more widespread between July 20 and July 22 as weather conditions gradually become more favourable.
The IMD has also indicated that hot and humid conditions are likely to persist across Delhi and nearby regions between July 16 and July 18 before any significant improvement is expected with increased rainfall activity later in the forecast period.
Temperatures Stay Well Above Seasonal Average
Data recorded at Safdarjung, Delhi’s principal weather observatory, showed the maximum temperature settling at 39.2 degrees Celsius, which is 4 degrees above the seasonal average for this time of year. The minimum temperature was also unusually high at 30.2 degrees Celsius, standing 3.2 degrees above normal.
These elevated temperatures highlight the intensity of the current weather spell, which has continued despite the presence of monsoon clouds over the region.
Air Quality Remains in the Moderate Category
Alongside the hot weather, Delhi’s air quality remained at a moderate level. According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board, the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 176 at 4 pm on Thursday.
An AQI within the moderate category generally indicates acceptable air quality for most people, although individuals who are particularly sensitive to air pollution may experience minor health effects during prolonged outdoor exposure.
As Delhi waits for stronger monsoon activity, weather experts expect residents to continue dealing with heat and humidity until a more active rainfall system develops over the region in the coming days.