Delhi-NCR waits for rain as humid heat persists; relief likely from Monday

New Delhi: Sunday morning across Delhi-NCR remained hot and humid despite cloudy skies, with no rain across most parts of the region and night temperatures staying unusually high. The India Meteorological Department said hot and humid conditions could continue at isolated places on Sunday. A spell of very light to light rain, accompanied by a thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds, is possible during the forenoon or afternoon. However, the forecast does not suggest widespread rain across the region during the day. More noticeable relief is expected from Monday, when rain is forecast at many places and the maximum temperature could fall to between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius. Why Delhi-NCR is feeling unusually hot Delhi’s Safdarjung observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday, three degrees above normal. The minimum temperature was 30.2 degrees Celsius, also three degrees above normal. The high overnight temperature meant that the city received little relief even after sunset. Relative humidity ranged between 46% and 74%. The combination of above-normal temperatures and high moisture in the air made conditions feel more uncomfortable than the thermometer reading alone suggested. Safdarjung recorded no rainfall during the 24 hours ending Saturday morning or between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge, Ayanagar, Pusa, Najafgarh and Mayur Vihar also remained dry. No rain was recorded at the reporting stations in Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram during the same period. Maximum temperatures across NCR remained high. Noida recorded 36.9 degrees Celsius, Ghaziabad 36.6 degrees and Gurugram 36.5 degrees. Palam recorded 37.4 degrees, while the temperature at Lodhi Road reached 37.8 degrees. Cloud cover, therefore, did not translate into meaningful rainfall or an immediate fall in temperatures. Will it rain on Sunday? IMD has forecast a generally cloudy sky for Sunday, with a possible spell of very light to light rain or a thunderstorm during the forenoon or afternoon. Surface winds may reach 20 to 30 kmph and briefly gust up to 40 kmph. The maximum temperature is expected to remain between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, while the minimum could stay between 28 and 30 degrees. The forecast means some parts of Delhi-NCR may receive rain, while others could remain dry. Even where it rains, a brief and localised spell may not be enough to produce lasting relief across the entire region. IMD has also said maximum temperatures are unlikely to change significantly over the next 48 hours before falling by three to five degrees. When is meaningful relief likely? Monday currently offers the clearest possibility of broader relief. IMD expects very light to light rain, thunderstorms and lightning at many places, with moderate rain at isolated locations during the morning or forenoon. Another spell of light rain is possible at night. The maximum temperature could fall to between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is expected to decline to 25-27 degrees. That would represent a noticeable change from Saturday’s maximum of 38.2 degrees and minimum of 30.2 degrees. Rain is also forecast to continue in parts of the region on Tuesday. IMD expects light rain or thunderstorms at a few places, with moderate rain at isolated locations between the early morning and noon. Another light spell may occur at night. Temperatures on Tuesday are expected to remain between 32 and 34 degrees during the day and 24 to 26 degrees at night. By Wednesday, the maximum could fall further to between 31 and 33 degrees, with the minimum in the range of 22 to 24 degrees. Very light to light rain is possible during the morning or forenoon.