New Delhi: An orange alert has been issued for Delhi over the coming hours, as moderate to severe thunderstorms with lightning and a possibility of isolated hailstorms are expected across several parts of the city.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the region is likely to see light to moderate rainfall accompanied by strong winds reaching speeds of 50–60 km/h, with gusts potentially up to 70 km/h. Meteorologists have warned that thunderstorm activity, which has already begun over northern Rajasthan, is expected to move towards Delhi by the evening and continue overnight.

Weather experts at Skymet Weather noted that the intensity of the storms may increase further tomorrow, with the spell likely to persist until 30 May. The system is then expected to shift towards Gujarat between 30 and 31 May.

They also highlighted that this round of pre-monsoon activity is likely to be more intense than the showers experienced in Delhi earlier this month and in April, bringing more widespread rainfall across the city.

The developing weather conditions are being driven by a western disturbance over the Himalayan region, an induced cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan and neighbouring areas, along with moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal, which have significantly raised humidity levels. Despite the storms, daytime temperatures are expected to remain high, with maximums likely to reach around 43°C, according to the IMD.