IMD predicts heatwave unlikely in Delhi, maximum temp may hit 42-degree mark
Delhi experienced a long spell of cloudy weather and sporadic rainfall from April 21 to May 7, which is rare during this time of the year.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said that the maximum temperature may hit the 42-degree mark in Delhi in two to three days, but a heatwave is unlikely for another week, according to the news agency PTI.
Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the IMD's regional forecasting centre said that a fresh western disturbance will affect the northwest region and may lead to a dust storm and drizzle in Delhi on May 13 which might bring temporary relief.
"The maximum temperature will continue to rise over the next few days amid clear skies and it is predicted to hit the 42-degrees Celsius mark by May 12-13. However, a heatwave is unlikely till May 16-17," he said.
On Wednesday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 20.9 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature settled at 36.7 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal, PTI reported.
The city experienced a long spell of cloudy weather and sporadic rainfall from April 21 to May 7, which is rare during this time of the year. May has been historically the hottest month in Delhi, with a mean maximum temperature of 39.5 degrees Celsius.
Officials attribute this to the back-to-back western disturbances, weather systems originating in the Mediterranean region, and bringing unseasonal rainfall to northwest India.
"Northwest India has seen three to four WDs since April 21-22. Delhi has not recorded a single heatwave day during this period. This is unusual. However, we cannot link it to climate change in the absence of data. There is no definite trend," Srivastava added.
Last week on Thursday, the national capital saw an unusual episode of dense fog as the minimum temperature dropped to 15.8 degrees Celsius, making it the third coldest morning in May since the IMD started keeping weather records in 1901.
(With PTI inputs)
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First Published:11 May 2023, 06:36 AM IST
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