The scorching sun, high winds, and humidity are forecast to worsen the heat until a drizzle later on Tuesday brings some respite as a western disturbance begins to touch the region. The temperature is forecast to range between 43 and 45°C before becoming cloudy in the evening.
On Tuesday, the city recorded a low temperature of 29.8°C, three degrees above average, and air quality reverted to the “poor” category. At 9 a.m., the average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 217, up from 199 (moderate) at 4 p.m. on Monday.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there will be further rain starting Wednesday and a dramatic decrease in temperatures, with the mercury dropping below 40°C.
The highest temperature on Wednesday is expected to be approximately 39°C, with a low of 36°C on Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, drizzling or light rain is also forecast.
A yellow advisory has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday, advising residents to exercise care due to light rain and strong gusts. For heat, a similar advisory was issued earlier.
On Monday, five of Delhi’s 13 meteorological stations reported a top temperature of more over 45°C. At the Safdarjung base station, the temperature reached 43.7°C, the highest so far this year. The warmest stations were Najafgarh and the Sports Complex (Akshardham), with maximum temperatures reaching 46.2°C.
The Heat Index (HI) or “real feel temperature” was higher. At 2:30pm on Monday, the HI was about 51°C due to an air temperature of 42.6°C and a relative humidity of 34%. On Sunday, the high temperature was 45°C.
An HI of 26-32°C is related with weariness, 32-40°C with sunstroke, and 40-54°C with heatstroke.
IMD does not yet compute HI. It has began issuing HI-based predictions for specific stations this summer, pinpointing areas of the country most likely to be hit by a combination of high humidity and warmth.
According to IMD scientist Kuldeep Srivastava, moisture intrusion from an incoming western disturbance boosted relative humidity on Monday, making the heat wave-like conditions more unpleasant.
A heatwave happens when the maximum temperature exceeds 40°C and is 4.5 degrees Celsius or higher than average. This requirement was reached by five stations on Monday: Najafgarh and Sports Complex (46.2°C), Pusa (45.8°C), Pitampura (45.8°C), and Narela (45.3°C).
The minimum temperature soared to 27.3°C on Monday, a degree above usual. On Sunday, the temperature was 24°C.
