Capital city Delhi is heading for a short spell of heat wave on 19th and 20thMay 2022. Mercury level is expected to reach or breach 44°C on these 2 days, more so on the 2nd day. Scorching heat spell is likely to be followed by thunderstorm/ dust storm/ showers between 21st and 24th May2022. Heat and humidity will be the trigger for this spell and the maximum temperature will once again drop close to normal of 40°C during this period.
Delhi had earlier experienced hottest day of the season on 15thMay by registering highest temperature of 45.6°C at the base observatory Safdarjung. Most other local observatories also clocked highest of this season. Mungeshpur and Najafgarh exceeded 49°C and few others like Jafarpur, Ridge and Pitampura breached 47°C mark. Severe heat wave conditions over most parts and moderate over rest of the pockets prevailed for 24hr. Some relief followed yesterday and today, on account of reversal in the wind pattern.
A cyclonic circulation is marked over border areas of Punjab and North Rajasthan. An east-west trough is running across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. This trough is oscillating and coming close to Delhi between 21st and 24thMay. Also, there is a western disturbance moving across the mountainous states of North India affecting simultaneously the entire region. Wind pattern for the capital city will vary depending upon the position of the trough.
Strong winds with ‘loo’ conditions over the city will gradually give way to milder flow. Increase in humidity will absorb the pinch of heat. Proximity of east-west trough shifting north and south of Delhi is ideal for tall clouds giving thunderstorm/ dust storm accompanied with strong winds. Most of this weather activity is expected during evening and night hours.