Delhi Records Second Consecutive Warmest Day, Similar Conditions Today

Delhi recorded yet another warm day yesterday. The base observatory at Safdarjung recorded a maximum temperature of 28°C and became the warmest day of this year so far. Earlier, the capital city had recorded a high of 27.4°C on Sunday, to get listed among the warmest days. These temperatures were about 4°-5°C above the normal. The mercury may rise further today by another notch to make a hat trick of the warmest days in a row. Thereafter, a drop in the temperatures is likely, but only to rise again around the weekend.

Delhi had a track record of registering temperatures in excess of 30°C in February. But generally, the temperatures shoot up in the second half of the month and more so in the last week. In the past, some of the years have recorded highs of just 28°C in the month, and on a few other occasions, it surpassed the 33°C mark. The all-time high in the month of February was 34.1°C, registered on 26th Feb 2006.

All the maximum temperatures in excess of 30°C were recorded after 20th Feb. Last year, it missed the 30°C mark by a whisker, and before that, it recorded the highest of 33.6°C in the last 15 years on 21st Feb 2023. The temperatures are unlikely to reach 30°C in the first half of this month.

A western disturbance is moving across the northern mountains. There has been scattered rain and snow in the hilly region of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The remnant of this system will last till tomorrow. Broad clearance in the weather conditions is expected on 13th Feb. However, this ‘break’ will be short and sweet, lasting for about 48 hours. The next western disturbance is expected to arrive on 15th Feb but quickly move away by 16th Feb. Yet another system is likely to arrive on 18th Feb. and stay put for the next 3-4 days. Though it is a little too early to commit, the spread of weather activity will extend to the hills and plains simultaneously during that period. The temperatures are likely to rise once again next week.