Delhi has observed dry weather conditions for the last 20 days, on the trot. Much before the withdrawal of monsoon on 02nd October, the rains literally ceased. The last rainy day was observed on 18th September when the base observatory at Safdarjung recorded 10mm rainfall. The retreat of monsoon and upsurge of sunshine has raised the mercury levels. The record station at Safdarjung has registered a day temperature in excess of 35°C for the 7th day in a row. A similar trend is likely for the next one week and a change, thereafter.
October 2024 is likely to observe absolute dry weather conditions in the first half of the month. The fortnight is likely to witness warm days and comfortable nights. It is almost on the same track, as last year when only one rainy day was witnessed in the entire month. The year before that, October 2022 defied the norms. Monsoon withdrawal got delayed and the capital city amassed 128mm rainfall in the first half of the month and dry thereafter.
There is no active western disturbance likely to affect the plains of North India and Delhi in the next ten days or so. A mild breeze and cloudless sky will keep the days warm in the mid-30s and the nights mostly pleasant with the mercury hovering around the low 20s. Dry northwesterly winds are expected to settle down, commencing the second half of the month. These winds down the slopes of mountains are likely to reach the capital city as well. The temperatures are expected to plunge below 20°C and this sharp drop will continue during the later half of the month.
There is an outside chance to have some twist in these weather conditions. There is the likelihood of a post-monsoon storm coming up in the Arabian Sea around the end of this week. As the model accuracy goes low after 4-5 days, the confidence in the forecast is low, so far. There is always a chance for such systems to head towards the Gujarat coast. In such a scenario, the clouds do spread across the plains of North India, including Delhi. Even, some chance of rain also does not get ruled out. A more precise and reliable forecast will be shared after about 72 hours.
Image Courtesy: Times Now