Delhi weather today: IMD issues yellow alert, rain and thunderstorms likely
Delhi: Friday brings cloudy skies and widespread rainfall across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The city woke up to light showers, providing a much-needed respite from the recent heat, with temperatures dipping to around 16°C. Nearby areas, including Noida and Gurugram, also experienced light rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department, in its latest local forecast, has issued a yellow alert for Delhi, advising residents to stay updated. The weather office has predicted light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph.
Earlier, the IMD had indicated that parts of Delhi, Noida, Dadri, and Greater Noida could also experience hailstorms along with thunderstorms, moderate rain, lightning, and stronger gusty winds of up to 40–50 kmph.
IMD had issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR starting at 11:15 pm on Thursday, warning of thunderstorms, gusty winds, and intermittent rain throughout the day. Residents can expect a generally cloudy sky with morning light showers, followed by one or two spells of light to moderate rainfall later in the day.
According to IMD forecasts, conditions in Delhi, Noida, Dadri, and Greater Noida may include hailstorms, moderate rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40–50 kmph.
Weather expert Mahesh Palawat of Skymet explained the unusual early rainfall:
A western disturbance over North Pakistan and Jammu & Kashmir is causing heavy rainfall in western Himalayan regions.
An induced cyclonic circulation over Haryana is bringing rain to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.
“Although stronger rainfall was initially predicted, the system is now shifting eastwards. Current conditions are likely to continue, with light to moderate showers and gusty winds,” Palawat said.
He added that pre-monsoon activity has arrived earlier than usual. Typically expected at the end of March, this year it was triggered by unusually high temperatures in early March combined with an intense western disturbance.
March is shaping up as the wettest in three years for Delhi, with an average rainfall of 9.4 mm so far. The last high March rainfall was recorded in 2023, totaling 50.4 mm.