The national capital observed dry weather conditions, on the trot, for the last six days. The last two days were literally sweltering with mercury above the normal range by about 3-4°C. The base station at Safdarjung recorded a new high of 37.4°C yesterday, surpassing the earlier maximum of 37°C, the day before yesterday. The temperature has been on the rise and, in the last four days has exceeded 35°C, with humidity levels also remaining on the upper side. A similar trend of temperature is expected today, as well and a drop, thereafter. The next four days are likely to have rain and showers, mostly light and patchy, except on a day or two.
The monsoon trough is south of Delhi, at and above the friction level of 3,000 feet. The westerly trough and cyclonic circulation over border areas of North Pakistan and Punjab is pulling the trough northward. It is making a north-south bulge and a kink, running across Delhi to Haryana and further to the foothills of Punjab. The proximity of the trough and passage of the westerly system will trigger this wet spell, albeit not very strong, between the 25th and 28th of September.
The rising mercury will stall and dip down to the low 30s, between the 26th and 28th of September. The patchy showers will occasionally be accompanied with peal of thunder, flash of lightening and a gust of strong winds. Both the weather systems will move away by Sunday, 29th September and make way for fair amount of clear weather conditions. The wind stream will change to dry and strong northwesterly. This will raise the temperature again and also cause drop in humidity. This will be precursor to the possible monsoon withdrawal in the first week of October.
Image Courtesy: Forbes