Great Indian Humidity Spike: When Will This Steamy Summer End?

India is reeling under extreme humidity and heat. Experts reveal how cyclones, western disturbances, and climate change are turning summer into a sticky, unbearable ordeal.

Tourists visit the Taj Mahal during humid weather conditions on a hot summer day, in Agra.

Source : PTI

Delhi’s summer has taken an unusual turn. May, typically known for its dry heat and blazing sun, is now serving up an unexpected and uncomfortable mix of heat and humidity. On Monday, residents of the national capital experienced sticky, muggy conditions that felt even worse than the actual temperatures—an unusual weather twist for this time of year.

Why Is Delhi So Humid in May?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributes the discomfort to a combination of weather systems disrupting the region’s usual climate patterns. Several western disturbances—weather systems that originate in the Mediterranean and travel across Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan—have been sweeping across northern India. These disturbances are typically known for bringing winter rain and occasional summer thunderstorms, but their increasing frequency and southern movement, a trend linked to climate change, are now pushing extra moisture into Delhi.

Additionally, a cyclonic circulation over the Arabian Sea is channeling humid air directly into the northern plains, further worsening Delhi’s sultry conditions. The result? Temperatures hovering around 40°C, but with high moisture content in the air, making it feel significantly hotter—like stepping into a sauna outdoors.

On Tuesday, for instance, while the Safdarjung weather station recorded a high of 40°C, the relative humidity of 43% made it feel close to 50°C. A day earlier, humidity levels had soared to an unusual 74%—almost unheard of for Delhi in May.

What’s Behind the Broader Surge in Humidity Across India?

This oppressive weather isn’t just limited to Delhi. Across large parts of India, moisture levels are well above normal. Eastern states like Odisha and West Bengal are experiencing humid heatwaves, with temperatures and humidity combining to create unbearable living conditions. Interior Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, and Maharashtra’s Konkan coast are facing similar extremes.

Why is this happening? Experts point to the presence of two massive anticyclones—one over the Arabian Sea and another over the Bay of Bengal. These high-pressure systems are pulling moisture inland, saturating the air even in interior regions that typically remain dry in pre-monsoon months.

“Anticyclones cause downward motion of air, compressing and heating it, while blocking out other weather systems,” explained K.J. Ramesh, former director-general of IMD. These systems are essentially acting like barriers that trap heat and moisture over land, amplifying both temperature and humidity levels.

Climate Change, Warming Oceans, and El Niño: The Perfect Storm

Experts warn that global warming, warming oceans, and El Niño are all playing a role in worsening these conditions. As the atmosphere warms, it holds more moisture—about 7% more for every 1°C increase—leading to what scientists call an “exponential” rise in humidity.

“We’re in summer, the land is heating up fast, and El Niño is adding its touch of ‘tadka’—with global warming on top,” said Raghu Murtugudde, professor of climate studies at IIT Bombay. “Warm temperatures mean deadly humidity. Every waterbody is evaporating rapidly, and circulation patterns are pulling in even more moisture from the seas around us.”

What to Expect in the Coming Days

So, is there any relief in sight? Not immediately. The IMD warns that while occasional rain may provide short-lived dips in temperature, the high humidity levels are likely to persist. The southwest monsoon—the only lasting break from this oppressive weather—is still weeks away, usually arriving in Delhi by the last week of June.

Until then, residents should brace for more hot, sticky days with a heightened risk of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching up to 40 km/h. These unstable weather conditions can lead to sudden downpours but will do little to ease the mugginess.

With climate patterns shifting and moisture surging across the country, India’s pre-monsoon season is becoming increasingly unpredictable—and dangerously uncomfortable. As Delhi and other states wait for the monsoon’s cooling touch, the relentless heat and humidity are testing endurance and raising critical questions about how climate change is reshaping everyday life across the subcontinent.