Rain likely in Delhi today: Is it monsoon or something else?
Delhi recorded a cooler-than-normal morning on Monday with rain and thunderstorms forecast later in the day. Here's why the weather is changing.
Delhi woke up to a relatively cooler morning on Monday, June 22, offering residents a brief break from the usual June heat.
The city’s base station at Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 27.3°C, which is 0.7°C below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
This mild start comes as the weather office has forecast spells of very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning later in the day, along with gusty winds.
Such conditions are typical during this pre-monsoon and early monsoon transition period.
A SPELL OF RELIEF
June in Delhi is usually one of the hottest months, with daytime temperatures often climbing between 37°C and 40°C or higher. The combination of intense summer sun and dry winds can make life uncomfortable for millions.
Luckily, recent weeks have seen multiple spells of thunderstorms and rain that have helped bring temperatures down temporarily.
Powerful dust storms followed by rain and lightning swept across Delhi-NCR, providing much-needed respite. The weather shifts not only lowered the temperatures but also improved air quality by settling dust particles.
Now, a similar spell of relief is expected today.
IMD data indicates that maximum temperatures on Monday, June 22, are likely to hover around 37-39°C, with no major change expected in the coming days. However, the rain could cause a further dip in the heat, making the afternoon and evening more bearable.
WHEN WILL MONSOON HIT DELHI-NCR?
The expected rain and thunderstorms in Delhi right now are mainly driven by fresh western disturbances, which are weather systems that originate over the Mediterranean Sea and move eastward, bringing rain and relief.
Moisture from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal adds fuel to these systems, especially in the pre-monsoon phase. Such activity is common in June as the country waits for the full arrival of the southwest monsoon.
As for the official monsoon onset in Delhi, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicate it is likely to reach the national capital between late June and early July.
Normal arrival is around June 27, but this year some forecasts point to a slight delay, possibly slipping into the first week of July due to the slower progress of the monsoon trough over central India.
This pre-monsoon rain is a preview of the wetter days ahead once the monsoon fully sets in, bringing more consistent rainfall to the region.
These weather patterns are expected to continue with chances of light rain over the next couple of days, gradually giving way to the full monsoon influence in the coming days.
While rain brings a refreshing change, it also serves as a reminder for residents to stay prepared for sudden changes typical of Delhi’s summer-to-monsoon shift.
Delhi woke up to a relatively cooler morning on Monday, June 22, offering residents a brief break from the usual June heat.
The city’s base station at Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 27.3°C, which is 0.7°C below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
This mild start comes as the weather office has forecast spells of very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning later in the day, along with gusty winds.
Such conditions are typical during this pre-monsoon and early monsoon transition period.
A SPELL OF RELIEF
June in Delhi is usually one of the hottest months, with daytime temperatures often climbing between 37°C and 40°C or higher. The combination of intense summer sun and dry winds can make life uncomfortable for millions.
Luckily, recent weeks have seen multiple spells of thunderstorms and rain that have helped bring temperatures down temporarily.
Powerful dust storms followed by rain and lightning swept across Delhi-NCR, providing much-needed respite. The weather shifts not only lowered the temperatures but also improved air quality by settling dust particles.
Now, a similar spell of relief is expected today.
IMD data indicates that maximum temperatures on Monday, June 22, are likely to hover around 37-39°C, with no major change expected in the coming days. However, the rain could cause a further dip in the heat, making the afternoon and evening more bearable.
WHEN WILL MONSOON HIT DELHI-NCR?
The expected rain and thunderstorms in Delhi right now are mainly driven by fresh western disturbances, which are weather systems that originate over the Mediterranean Sea and move eastward, bringing rain and relief.
Moisture from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal adds fuel to these systems, especially in the pre-monsoon phase. Such activity is common in June as the country waits for the full arrival of the southwest monsoon.
As for the official monsoon onset in Delhi, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicate it is likely to reach the national capital between late June and early July.
Normal arrival is around June 27, but this year some forecasts point to a slight delay, possibly slipping into the first week of July due to the slower progress of the monsoon trough over central India.
This pre-monsoon rain is a preview of the wetter days ahead once the monsoon fully sets in, bringing more consistent rainfall to the region.
These weather patterns are expected to continue with chances of light rain over the next couple of days, gradually giving way to the full monsoon influence in the coming days.
While rain brings a refreshing change, it also serves as a reminder for residents to stay prepared for sudden changes typical of Delhi’s summer-to-monsoon shift.
