Why Delhi Is Witnessing 48 Degrees Celsius Like Heat After A Brief Monsoon Break

Despite the arrival of the monsoon last week, residents of Delhi-NCR continue to endure scorching temperatures accompanied by humidity. On Monday, while the actual maximum temperature settled at 38.6 degrees Celsius, extreme humidity pushed the "feels like" temperature to a scorching 48 degrees Celsius. The trend continued into Tuesday morning as Delhiites woke up to a minimum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, 2.1 degrees above normal, with the heat index making it feel like 44.7°C as early as 8.30 am.

Why Does Extreme Heat Persist Even As Rains Drench Lanes?

The answer lies in the current position of the monsoon and the ever-changing weather systems dominating Northern India. The minimum temperature was the highest recorded in this month since July 2, 2024, when the city had recorded a minimum temperature of 30.7 degrees Celsius. While Tuesday recorded a temperature at around 42 degrees Celsius. Among other weather stations, Lodhi Road recorded a minimum of 30.4 degrees Celsius, 3.4 notches above normal; Palam recorded 28.3 degrees Celsius, 0.1 notch above normal; and Ayanagar registered 28.6 degrees Celsius, 1.9 notches above normal, while the Ridge station recorded 24.9 degrees Celsius, 1.5 notches below normal. Monday was no different; the maximum temperature was recorded to be 43.4 degrees Celsius.

Why Is Delhi-NCR Still Baking?

Even as the southwest monsoon has made steady progress over southern, central, and parts of eastern India, it is far away from Delhi. Typically, the summer monsoon arrives in Delhi around June 27; the date may fluctuate depending on weather conditions across the region.

Delhi is currently witnessing two contradicting weather patterns affecting it. Major areas in Delhi received minimum to no rainfall, increasing the heat across the city. The Ridge Observatory was the only station to receive rainfall during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am, recording 6.4 mm of rain. No rainfall was recorded at Safdarjung, Palam, Lodhi Road, or Ayanagar during the period, IMD said. This weather pattern prompted the temperatures to rise even higher.

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Another factor that contributes to the rise in temperature is the hot and dry continental air that covers the capital. Even though the moisture-laden winds are active over peninsular India, the hot air flowing through Rajasthan and adjoining regions restricts cloud formation and allows solar heating during the day.

The current weather pattern has made conditions worse as the moisture, while moving northward, combines with higher temperatures, making the heat surge. This phenomenon makes the air feel hotter than the actual temperature.

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Analysts claim that the arrival of the monsoon in India does not bring instant relief to all parts of India simultaneously. The southwest monsoon usually arrives in different phases and experiences temporary pauses, known as breaks.

The weather department has forecast a gradual rise in Delhi's maximum temperature to around 43°C through June 10. Relief may arrive from June 11 onwards as fresh thunderstorm activity, cloud cover, and gusty winds develop over the region.