The national capital recorded the warmest day of this season, so far. The base observatory at Safdarjung scaled 33.6°C, above normal by about 2°C. Last week, the day maximum has generally remained above 30°C. The highest was 31.4°C, recorded on 11th & 13th March, which again was 2-3°C above the average. It was followed by traces of rainfall in some parts of NCR. Most observatories in the capital city measured a maximum of under 34°C, except Pitampura which had a high of 34.6°C, about 3°C above the normal. There could be a marginal drop of mercury today, due to some clouds and changes in the wind pattern.
Delhi has observed mostly below-normal or normal mercury levels, so far this month. Never any occasion, of extreme heat over and around the capital city, which otherwise is not alien, around this time of the year. Frequent passage of western disturbances across the mountains, albeit mild and brief, have kept the temperature suppressed. The minimum temperature also were checked at or below normal. Today morning, for the first time, it exceeded 15°C and measured 16.4°C, close to normal.
Western disturbance has arrived over Jammu & Kashmir. Another one is following very closely Therefore mountains will have weather activity till 24th March and brief clearance, thereafter. Spill over effect of these systems will arrest any significant rise of temperatures, in general over the plains of North India and more so for the capital city. The maximum temperature is likely to stay at 33°-34°C and the minimum will hover around 16°C for the next 4-5 days. Some clouds are expected to stray across NCR, off and on, and more so on the weekend, 23rd & 24th March. Some parts of the northern plains may have light rains on these two days. However, Delhi seems to be rather far from the reach and lies on outer peripherals. No rains are expected over Delhi/ NCR till the holy festival of ‘HOLI’ on 25th March.
