Delhi Weather: Residents of the national capital have pulled out their warm layers once again as an unusual weather phenomenon is unfolding this week, bringing intense rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and even hailstorms to parts of the city as well as adjoining areas such as Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad and Gurugram.
The sudden change in weather, which comes as the city approaches the summer season, is linked to a '1,000-kilometre' rain band under an active western disturbance. This system has pushed temperatures several degrees below normal, offering much-needed relief from the rising heat.
What's Behind Sudden Delhi Rain?
According to weather experts, the system bringing rain to North India stands out for its formation and shape, unlike the usual curved western disturbances seen over the region. This phenomenon features a nearly straight, 1,000-kilometre-long low-pressure trough, a rare configuration that is amplifying its intensity and triggering heavy rainfall, lightning, and strong winds across several parts of the country.
"An unusual Western Disturbance has reached North India. Its structure is quite different. A trough is situated in a straight line spanning thousands of kilometres, which is generally very rare. It has the capacity to create very strong thunderstorms and thunderclouds, so be cautious and follow IMD," Hindustan Times quoted Dr Pradeep as saying.
Rain Brings Relief From Rising Heat
Just a few days ago, North India was grappling with unusually high temperatures, with Delhi soaring close to 37 degrees Celsius. The arrival of a western disturbance has brought a sudden change in the weather, pushing temperatures several degrees below normal, offering much-needed respite to the residents.
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What's Ahead?
Parts of the national capital and adjoining areas woke up to rainfall on Friday morning, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert for the day. The minimum temperature dropped to 16 degrees Celsius, about 4.5 degrees Celsius below normal, according to the IMD readings from the Safdarjung weather station.