Delhi Cross 36 Degrees: Next Stop 40 Degrees On Weekend
Representational Image: AI-Skymet
Key Takeaways:
- Delhi crosses 36°C again after an 11-day gap, signalling rising heat trend
- Temperatures expected to gradually climb, nearing 40°C between April 17–19
- No sudden spike; rise will remain steady and progressive
- Heatwave conditions unlikely till the third week of April
Delhi crossed the 36°C mark after a gap of 11 days in April. The base station at Safdarjung recorded a day maximum of 36.1°C yesterday, just the normal mark at this time of the month. Earlier, the observatory had clocked 36.8°C on 02 Apr 2026, the highest so far this season, and also repeated the same maximum on 11th March 2026. The capital city has breached the 36°C mark on four days this season, which includes 36.2°C on 29th March 2026. A further rise in temperature is expected during this week.
The national capital is likely to breach 40°C over the weekend between 17th and 19th April for the first time this season. Delhi invariably crosses 40°C in April, and the highest for the month is typically recorded during the last week. The temperatures will rise incrementally, and an abrupt spike is not expected. The maximum temperature will reach close to 38°C today, which will be above the normal mark, only for the second time this month.
Multiple factors are contributing to the likely rise of mercury in Delhi/NCR. The western disturbance arriving on 16th April will be moderately strong, and the activity will remain confined to the hills only. Low-level winds will slow down significantly over the next 3–4 days. Strong winds, if any, mitigate heat stress, as seen in the last few days. Temperatures across the border have started rising over central and southern parts of Pakistan. Nawabshah, next to the West Rajasthan border, has reached about 44°C, and this excess heat starts getting advected with favourable westerly winds. Another reason is the seasonal progression of mercury levels, which starts catching up halfway through April. Under the influence of all these factors, the capital city may record its first 40°C during this week. At the cost of repetition, there is no sharp spike in temperature expected during this period. Heat wave conditions are unlikely over Delhi and suburbs until the third week of April.
