Delhi recorded the highest temperature of this month, yesterday. The base station at Safdarjung measured a maximum temperature of 37°C, about 3°C above the normal. The highest in the region was at Pitampura, a notch higher than Safdarjung. Earlier, the capital city had recorded mostly below-normal temperatures during the day and touched 36°C, only on three days in this month. Similar temperatures are likely today and tomorrow. There is a fair chance today, that mercury may reach near 38°C and then drop tomorrow. In subsequent days, the temperatures may even reach the low 30s, more so, between the 27th and 29th of Sep.
The month of September is known for warm and humid days. The rainfall reduces during this month and a fair amount of sunshine leads to a rise in temperatures. The maximum temperature in excess of 38°C is not very rare. Occasionally, the mercury crosses the 40°C mark and the highest ever on record is 40.6°C, measured on 16th of Sep 1938. The highest temperature is, more often than not, recorded in the first half of the month.
September 2024 seems to be cooler than normal, as the temperature has exceeded 36°C, merely on four occasions. The month observed more than normal rainy days. The base observatory has recorded a total of 193mm of rainfall against the normal of 123.5mm. The temperature dipped below 30°C on three days in this month. The minimum temperature plunged to a record low of 21.1°C on 19th September 2024.
A low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal, very soon. Inland movement of that system will drag the seasonal monsoon trough south of its normal position, far to the south of Delhi. Oscillation of the monsoon trough, coupled with a stable stream of easterly winds will lower the day temperatures substantially. Also, monsoon showers are likely between the 25th and 28th of September. The rainfall will be very light on the 25th Sep and more frequent and sharp between the 26th and 28th of September.