All eyes on the sky: Heavy rain alert. Will monsoon finally hit Delhi-NCR today?
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert in Delhi for stormy conditions later in the afternoon and evening on Wednesday, July 1.
New Delhi is finally set to get a break from the scorching heat and humid conditions as a strong monsoon onset spell is expected to bring widespread rain to the region starting later on July 1 and continuing into July 2.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert in Delhi for strong winds and moderate rain later in the afternoon and evening on Wednesday, July 1.
The update, reported by professional meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya, comes a day after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed favourable conditions for the southwest monsoon's further advance into northern states, forecasting its arrival in Delhi by July 3.
The usual onset date for Delhi is around June 27, but this year the monsoon has rarely met deadlines.
The monsoon arrived late in Kerala and progressed slowly northward, leaving much of north India under heatwave conditions and with a significant rainfall deficit of around 40% in June.
WHEN WILL MONSOON BEGIN IN DELHI?
On July 1, IMD reported that the monsoon has advanced into most parts of western Uttar Pradesh and some areas of eastern Haryana, thanks to widespread rainfall.
Satellite images show thick cloud cover and thunderstorm activity across northern India, signalling active weather systems moving forward.
Recent updates by the weather agency indicate that it has already covered large parts of southern, eastern, and central India. Conditions now support its push into remaining areas of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and beyond.
HOW IS MONSOON DECLARED IN DELHI?
The IMD, however, does not declare monsoon in Delhi just because it rained. There are certain conditions that need to be met.
What that essential means is that specific weather changes must occur together.
First, the main weather stations, including the Safdurjang weather station, in the city must record steady, widespread rainfall for two consecutive days.
Second, the wind direction must change, bringing in deep, moisture-filled easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal to replace the dry summer winds.
Finally, there must be a continuous increase in thick cloud cover and atmospheric moisture over the entire region.
The IMD only announces the official onset when these conditions show a permanent seasonal shift rather than just a passing pre-monsoon rain shower.
WHAT'S AHEAD?
With rain likely tonight and tomorrow in Delhi-NCR and other regions, temperatures should drop noticeably, and humidity could rise.
The IMD's July outlook suggests below-normal rainfall for the month overall, of under 94% of the long-period average, so this initial burst is crucial but may not fully make up for June's shortfall.
Despite that, people in Delhi will be looking forward to the soon-arriving rains, that will put a stop to the hot weather conditions and bring a refreshing change.