The base observatory of Delhi, Safdarjung recorded just one day of 40°C in April 2024. The capital city had the highest maximum of 40.5°C on 26th April 2024. The mercury was expected to breach this mark yesterday also, but it got arrested at 38.3°C, a notch below the normal. Today, the maximum is likely to stay under 40°C, thereby listing April 2024 to have a solitary day of 40°C. It has not commonly happened earlier. Last year, the city crossed this mark in 4 days. However, it reached 39°C or above on 7 days in this month.
The only exception, since 2009 was April 2012, when the national capital had the distinction of not breaching the 40°C mark and the highest maximum of 38.7°C was measured on 04th April. The record observatory has even breached the 43°C mark, in April 2009, 2010, 2017 and 2022. There was no heat wave recorded in Delhi during April 2024. The monthly rainfall was just 8mm, well short of the normal of about 17mm.
The mercury is unlikely to rise beyond 38°C for the next 4 days and may reach the next 40°C, only on the weekend. Strong surface winds during the day will arrest any abrupt rise of temperature, till Friday. Pre-monsoon activity may pick up around the weekend and go over to the next week. Some thunderstorm activity with strong winds and lightning can be expected on 04th May.
Thereafter, on and off activity is likely, more frequently between 05th and 10th May. Under the influence of western disturbance and the induced cyclonic circulation, northern plains will have a spike in pre-monsoon weather. Delhi will have its fair share during this period. Since most of this activity will happen during late in the day, the temperature is likely to rise. Commencing this weekend, a spree of 40°C is quite likely till mid-week next.
Image Credit: Image Credit: downtoearth.org.in
