Delhi-NCR To Experience Warmer Days And Nights; Maximum Temperature To Cross 40°C Mark By April 15

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that Delhi-NCR’s days and nights will get notably warmer by the end of the week. The weather office predicted that the maximum temperature will soar past the 40 degrees Celsius mark around April 15.

The increased temperature will rise as the mild relief which was brought in by a western disturbance is beginning to fade, clearing the way for harsh summer to set in.

The minimum temperature was under control due to the northwesterly winds over the past few days, however, that is expected to be over now. The air will probably remain calm, but get warmer, Hindustan Times reported.

“The strong surface winds over the past week continued on Sunday as well, with average speeds of 25-35 km/per hour. However, these surface winds will get slower by Tuesday,” IMD scientist Kuldeep Srivastava was quoted as saying.

The minimum temperature is expected to rise three to four notches above the current one in the next few days, Srivastava said, adding that the maximum is likely to touch 40 degrees Celsius by April 15.

The weather department’s data showed that last year, the maximum temperature rose past 40 degrees Celsius on April 16 and on April 8 in 2022.

The national capital on Sunday recorded a maximum temperature of 35.6 degrees Celsius, a notch above the seasonal average, IMD said. Relative humidity oscillated between 63 per cent and 21 per cent during the day.

For Monday, the weather department forecast a clear sky with the maximum temperature likely to settle at 36 degrees Celsius and minimum at 17.

Vice president of private forecaster Skymet, Mahesh Palawat was quoted as saying, “The north-westerlies were helping keep the temperature down. The humidity will also increase in the following week.”

The national capital’s air quality index (AQI) remained in the “moderate” category at 178 on Sunday, the Central Pollution Control Board’s national bulletin read. The AQI is expected to remain ‘moderate’ on Monday as well.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severe plus.

(With PTI inputs)