- Delhi-NCR experiences relief from early summer heat as western disturbances bring rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds.
- Temperatures dropped significantly, with Delhi recording its coolest April day in three years.
- Improved weather has also partially improved air quality, with most NCR areas now in the ‘moderate’ A
Residents of the National Capital Region have started grappling with early summer heat, with the highest temperatures crossing the 35°C mark, but a powerful western disturbance is expected to sweep across North India over the next few days.
Unseasonal weather will bring much-needed relief in the form of cloud cover, strong winds, and thunderstorms, while the weather office has also warned of potential hailstorms in some pockets, depicting February-like atmospheric conditions in April.
A series of western disturbances, which are extratropical low-pressure systems originating from the Mediterranean Sea, are passing through North India. While moving eastward, it is set to collide with the Himalayan region.
While Western Disturbances are common in winter, their arrival in April with this level of intensity is considered rare, which can lead to strong thunderstorms. A potent weather system currently positioned over Pakistan and Afghanistan is being further strengthened by a secondary cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan.
This combination is pumping significant moisture from the Arabian Sea into the region, triggering heavy cloud cover, rain, snowfall, and a sharp drop in temperatures across Northwest India.
The recent spell of rain has led to a significant drop in temperatures across the capital. On April 7, Delhi recorded its coolest April day in three years, with the maximum temperature plunging to 28.8°C, nearly six degrees below the seasonal average.
In response to the shifting conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for April 7 and 8. The weather office has predicted continued thunderstorms, lightning, and light to moderate rainfall across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad.
The rainfall is being accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 km/h. These strong winds have added a noticeable chill to the air, particularly during the early morning and evening hours, providing residents a temporary reprieve from the summer heat.
The changing weather conditions have brought a silver lining to the city's environmental front. Air quality across the NCR has seen a partial improvement, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) noting that over 90% of monitoring stations currently fall within the 'moderate' category.
In Delhi, AQI readings remained largely stable and moderate across several key areas. According to data reported by IANS, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 212, while Ashok Vihar stood at 118. Other areas also saw improved levels, with Bawana at 143, Chandni Chowk at 110, and the RK Puram/CRRI Mathura Road belt recording 134.
This combination of rainfall and strong winds is expected to further aid in the dispersal of pollutants, keeping the air quality in check for the coming days.
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