March 2016 can be touted as the hottest March on record Delhi. On Thursday, city recorded highest maximum temperature of the season at 39.2°C.
This is also the second highest day maximum recorded during the last 10 years against the all-time high of 41.3°C on March 27, 2010.
According to Skymet Weather, most days of the month saw day temperatures settling above 30°C that was above normal by 2-3°C. There were only three occasions in the entire month when mercury was recorded below 30-degree mark.
With this, the average day temperature for March 2016 was 32.9°C at Palam Observatory (three degrees above normal) and 31.7°C (two degrees above normal) at Safdarjung Observatory.
Normal average temperature for Safdarjung is 29.9°C, while Palam Observatory has 29.6°C. As per the meteorologists at Skymet Weather, it is not very common to see average temperatures settling three degrees above normal.
What is more surprising is that in spite of good rainy spells at frequent intervals, Delhi continued to record high day maximums.
This month, Safdarjung Observatory recorded 34 mm of rain against the normal rainfall of 15.9 mm. Similarly, Palam Observatory also recorded 20.6 mm of rain in comparison to 13.2 mm.
Moreover, no respite is likely ahead as we expect mercury to sizzle further in April. Skymet Weather predicts, April to start on hot note as mercury is almost reaching 40-degree mark in March itself.
Though some thunderstorms and passing showers are likely within the first week of the month between April 3 and April 5 but this will give only temporary relief.
This activity will be able to pull down day temperatures marginally. These showers generally take place during late afternoon or evening hours. By then, mercury has already peaked.
Image credit: http://www.pbs.org/
