Capital city Delhi recorded hottest day of the season, yesterday. Base observatory at Safdarjung measured maximum temperature of 38°C, the highest so far, in this year and season, so far. Other observatories in Delhi and NCR also recorded similar readings. Najafgarh and Pitampura breached 39°C mark. Ridge area over South Delhi missed it by whisker and registered 38.9°C. The highest of all was Narela at 41.4°C, about 6°C above the normal. This may be subject to correction, due some error. High mercury levels are likely to be retained for the next 3 days and drop thereafter.
Delhi had earlier recorded the highest of this season at 37.8°C on 29thMarch 2024. In April this year, mercury crossed 37°C on Monday, for the first time and quickly surpassed to breach 38°C, yesterday. Since 2009, Delhi has touched 40°C every April, except in 2012, when it got arrested at 38.7°C. Safdarjung, the record repository for the capital city, breached 43°C thrice, in 2009, 2010 and 2022, the highest being 43.7°C in 2010. Last year, the highest for the month of April was 40.6°C. It looks as if, April 2024 is also on same track, as the temperature is unlikely to reach 40°C mark, at least till 20thApril.
A cyclonic circulation, aided by the western disturbance is marked over parts of West Rajasthan and border areas. An east-west trough is likely to come up, passing through Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and proceed further eastward. A fresh western disturbance is likely to approach on 12th April. This will strengthen the circulation, as well. While, the day temperatures may rise over the next 3 days to reach around 38-39°C, these are slated to drop from 13thApril onward.
Under the combined influence of western disturbance and circulation and supported by the trough, Delhi/ NCR will come in for a wet spell between 13th and 15thApril. The main spell may precede with light and isolated activity on 12thApril also. The spell on the weekend will be typical pre monsoon activity, the first one of this season. Rain and thundershowers accompanied with gusty winds and lightening strikes are likely across the complete region of NCR. Triggered by the westerly jet stream and a deep trough in the upper atmosphere, hailstorm is quite likely over some places. The peak activity is expected to be on Sunday, 14thApril.
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