New Delhi: Delhi witnessed the warmest day of the year on Wednesday as the maximum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory, the city’s base station, climbed to 36.8 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Weather officials said this was eight degrees above the seasonal normal and the highest maximum temperature recorded in the first half of March since at least 2011. The rise in temperature was mainly attributed to clear skies and warmer winds over the national capital.
Several parts of the city recorded even higher temperatures. Ayanagar and the Delhi Ridge were the hottest areas on Wednesday, recording 37.4 degrees Celsius. The temperature at Lodhi Road reached 37.1 degrees Celsius.
Before Wednesday, the highest temperature recorded this month was 35.7 degrees Celsius on March 7. The city had already seen four consecutive days of maximum temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius until Tuesday, when the temperature was 35.5 degrees Celsius, about seven degrees above normal.
For comparison, last year the maximum temperature had risen to 38.9 degrees Celsius on March 26.
The minimum temperature on Wednesday was recorded at 17.8 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than 18.8 degrees Celsius recorded a day earlier.
Light Rain Likely After March 14
The India Meteorological Department said weather conditions may change later this week as a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from March 14.
Gurugram, Noida To See Rainfall From March 15
As per IMD forecast, Gurugram to see Rainfall from March 15 to March 17. IMD said the city will witness “Partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers”.
Due to this system, very light rain or drizzle may occur around March 15. If this happens, the maximum temperature could drop to around 30–32 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the city’s air quality remained poor. The Air Quality Index stood at 244 on Wednesday, compared to 265 a day earlier.
According to the government’s early warning system, the air quality is expected to remain in the poor category between March 12 and March 14. Over the next six days, it may improve to the moderate category if weather conditions change.
