After days of heat and dust, the national capital woke up to overcast skies and refreshing rain on Monday, bringing much-needed respite from the early October warmth. The maximum temperature dipped to 26.5°C — 7.7 degrees below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
A cool, breezy start to the week
Rain showers accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms swept across Delhi, turning the weather pleasantly cool. The Safdarjung observatory recorded 3.4 mm of rainfall between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, while Palam and Ridge logged 3.2 mm and 3.7 mm, respectively. The minimum temperature settled at 20.6°C, about 1.7 degrees below the seasonal average.
The IMD said the spell was triggered by a western disturbance affecting the northern plains. Fresh snowfall over the Himalayan region is also expected to push temperatures further down in the coming days.
IMD issues yellow alert
The weather office has placed Delhi under a yellow alert, urging residents to stay updated on changing conditions. Cloudy skies and moderate rain are likely to continue for the next 24 hours before clearer weather returns by midweek.
On Tuesday (October 7), the city may witness one or two spells of light to moderate rain, with thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 50 kmph. Temperatures are likely to range between 20°C and 28°C.
From Wednesday (October 8) onward, skies are expected to clear gradually. The IMD’s extended forecast predicts partly cloudy to clear skies till October 12, with daytime temperatures rising to 32–34°C and nighttime lows hovering around 20–22°C.
Relief may be short-lived
Meteorologists warned that the cool spell may not last long. As the western disturbance moves eastward, drier and warmer conditions are likely to return by the weekend. However, another round of light rain could occur if a fresh western disturbance approaches next week.
Air quality improves slightly
Despite the showers, Delhi’s air quality remained in the moderate category with an AQI of 105 at 4 pm, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. Experts said pollutant levels may fluctuate in the coming weeks due to the transition from monsoon to winter.