Will Delhi Get Respite From Heatwave? Check IMD Forecast For Weekend, Rain Likely On These Dates

Delhi experienced a slight temperature decrease, with Safdarjung recording 41.2°C, lower than Thursday's high. The IMD issued an orange alert for thunderstorms and gusty winds.

Amid the ongoing heatwave-like condition in Delhi, the national capital witnessed a slight dip in temperatures. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert, forecasting hot and humid conditions along with a high likelihood of thunderstorm activity, lightning and gusty winds later in the evening.

According to news agency PTI, the maximum temperature at Safdarjung — the city's official observatory — fell to 41.2 degrees Celsius, still 1.3 degrees Celsius above normal, but notably lower than Thursday's 43.9 degrees Celsius. The other weather stations across the city also recorded significant drops. Ridge saw the sharpest fall with a 4.9 degrees Celsius decrease in daytime temperature, while Ayanagar, Lodhi Road and Palam reported dips of 3.6 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees Celsius and 3.3 degrees Celsius respectively. However, the minimum temperatures continued to rise. 

Safdarjung recorded a low of 31.0 degrees Celsius on Friday, compared to 30.7 degrees Celsius on Thursday and 27.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday — around 3 degrees Celsius above normal. 

For Saturday, the IMD has forecast the maximum temperatures to hover between 39–41 degrees Celsius, with further drops in both maximum and minimum readings over the next few days. Notably, no heatwave conditions are expected from June 14 onwards. 

The conditions are likely to be the same over the weekend, with rainfall expected to increase between June 16 and June 18. According to the weather, the maximum temperatures is likely to hover between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius on Saturday, with further drops in both maximum and minimum readings over the next few days. 

Monsoon Likely To Cover Most Parts Of Northwest India By June 25: IMD

The southwest monsoon, which regained momentum this week, is expected to cover most parts of northwest India, including Delhi, by June 25, well ahead of the usual dates. According to PTI, the primary rain-bearing system reached Kerala on May 24, marking its earliest onset over the Indian mainland since 2009, when it arrived on May 23.

Aided by strong low-pressure systems over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, the monsoon advanced quickly over the next few days, covering parts up to central Maharashtra, including Mumbai, and the entire northeast by May 29.

(With inputs from PTI)