New Delhi: Delhi residents can expect relief from the intense summer heat over the weekend, with cloudy skies, light rainfall and thunderstorms keeping temperatures below normal levels. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that temperatures are likely to rise gradually from next week.

The change in weather follows thunderstorms, gusty winds and light rain that swept across parts of Delhi-NCR on Thursday night, bringing down temperatures significantly after several days of extreme heat.

Temperatures drop sharply across Delhi

According to IMD data, Delhi's maximum temperature has fallen by around 5 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours. The national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 36.8 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung on Friday, nearly four degrees below the seasonal average and much lower than Thursday's 41.1 degrees Celsius.

Just days earlier, several weather stations in the city had recorded temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius. On May 27, the mercury touched 45.6 degrees Celsius at Ridge, 44.4 degrees Celsius at Ayanagar and 44.3 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung.

Overall, maximum temperatures have dropped by 7.5 to 9.4 degrees Celsius between Wednesday and Friday.

Despite the cooler weather, humidity levels kept the "feels-like" temperature close to 39.5 degrees Celsius during afternoon hours.

Friday was also the coolest day recorded in Delhi in nearly three weeks, with lower temperatures last observed on May 8.

Rain, Thunderstorms likely over weekend

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Saturday and Sunday, forecasting light rain, thunderstorms and strong winds across Delhi-NCR.

Weather officials said the ongoing relief from the heat is expected to continue for the next two to three days before temperatures begin climbing again.

The department noted that maximum temperatures are likely to remain lower through May 30 before increasing by 6 to 7 degrees Celsius over the following five days.

Strong winds accompanied Thursday night's weather activity, with Palam recording a peak wind speed of 61 kmph.

Air quality improves, GRAP restrictions revoked

The rainfall and strong winds also led to a noticeable improvement in air quality across the region.

According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi's daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) improved from 207 on May 28 to 123 on May 29.

In view of the improved conditions, the CAQM's Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) revoked all Stage-I restrictions across the National Capital Region with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, in its latest monsoon outlook, the IMD said southwest monsoon rainfall across India is expected to be around 90 per cent of the Long Period Average this year. While northeastern states are likely to receive normal rainfall, many other regions may experience below-normal precipitation during the monsoon season.