Delhi records lowest maximum in last 8 years on Friday

On Friday, Delhiites enjoyed an extremely cool weather as the city recorded lowest day maximum of 29⁰C, in last 8 years. The spell of heavy and widespread rain on Thursday brought down the mercury way below normal as the monthly average for July is 35⁰C. The lowest maximum of 28⁰C in last 10 years, was recorded on 27^th of July, 2006.

Monsoon current reached the national capital by the 6th of July when the Safdarjung Observatory received only 0.9 mm of rain. On the 3rd and 4th of July, Delhi received just 4 mm and 7 mm of pre-monsoon rain, respectively. Thereafter, Delhi/NCR witnessed a long dry spell when temperatures and humidity levels kept rising.

Delhi experienced hot and sultry weather as temperatures rose from 37⁰C on 6th to 42.3⁰C on the 12th of July, due to lack of Monsoon rain. Minimums too settled in the higher-twenties, touching even 30⁰C. Finally, 26 mm of rain recorded at the Safdurjung observatory on the 13th brought some relief. However, showers were patchy with north and northeast Delhi going dry. Only south and central parts of Delhi received rain.

Finally, Delhi was lashed by heavy and widespread rain on Thursday, though varying in intensity. In a span of 24 hours, the Palam Observatory recorded 103.6 mm of rain, while Safdarjung observed 56.7 mm of rain.

Interestingly, such spells, exceeding 100 mm (at Palam) are not many. It is only the third such spell in the last decade, the heaviest being 144.6 mm on 7^th July, 2006. The second highest was 117.5 mm recorded on 11^th July, 2004. However, the all-time high is 265.8 experienced on 9^th July, 1972, which is higher than the monthly average of 215 mm.

According to latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, this rain occurred due to the low pressure area in Madhya Pradesh shifting closer to Delhi-NCR and west Uttar Pradesh.

picture courtesy- Post Jagran