Delhi on YELLOW alert! Mercury drops 5 degrees below normal as national capital braces for thunderstorm, more rains

Delhi weather today: A yellow alert was sounded for the national capital on Tuesday with a possibility of rain and thunderstorm, the Regional Meteorological Centre said. The maximum and minimum temperatures have dropped significantly, by almost 5 degrees below the normal range.

Daytime temperature drops 5 degrees below normal

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, “Light/moderate rainfall at many/some places accompanied with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph likely over Delhi on 3 June.” Daytime temperatures are set to reach as high as 35-37 degrees Celsius and as low as 24-26 degrees Celsius today.

IMD's report indicated that May was unusually cool this year. Since 1901, this month's average daytime temperatures were the seventh lowest. Moreover, the previous month recorded the lowest temperatures in the last four years.

The weather agency further noted the possibility of a thundersquall with wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph and gusting to 70 kmph in Delhi and nearby regions on 3 June.

With pleasant weather conditions, Delhi residents breathed better, as the air quality improved to 138 from 166, recorded at the same time at 8:00 AM a day earlier. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI levels between 101 and 200 are categorised as moderate. From 4 June onwards, weather conditions are forecast to improve, as no IMD alert is in place for Delhi-NCR.

Light rain in the next 2 hours

Delhi Meteorological Centre issued a nowcast warning, forecasting downpour in NCR, Haryana and Rajasthan. The post on X states, “Light rainfall (30-40 Km/h gusty winds) is very likely to occur at NCR ( Manesar), Charkhi Dadri, Mattanhail, Jhajjar, Loharu, Farukhnagar, Kosali, Mahendargarh, Sohana, Rewari, Narnaul, Bawal, Nuh (Haryana), Pilani, Bhiwari, Jhunjunu, Tizara, Khairthal, Kotputli, Alwar, Viratnagar, Laxmangarh, Rajgarh (Rajasthan) during the next 2 hours.”

These prevailing weather conditions are a result of upper air cyclonic circulation over Haryana and neighbouring areas, in addition to Western Disturbance marked by cyclonic circulation over north Pakistan and the Jammu region.