Delhi-NCR heat continues as IMD forecasts rain, gusty winds

Delhi-NCR witnessed warm and humid conditions on Monday morning as residents continued to face discomfort amid the delayed arrival of the southwest monsoon in the national capital region.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast cloudy skies, light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds across parts of Delhi-NCR, raising hopes of relief from the prevailing heat as monsoon activity gradually strengthens over North India.
According to the latest IMD bulletin, atmospheric conditions are favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon over several parts of North India during the next five to six days. The monsoon is likely to move into more areas of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the next two to three days, followed by Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and southeast Rajasthan.Despite the expected progress of monsoon, the weather department has warned that heatwave conditions are likely to continue in parts of Uttar Pradesh, with severe heat expected on July 28 and 29.
Delhi recorded an unusually warm morning, with the minimum temperature settling at 31.1 degrees Celsius, around 3.2 degrees above the seasonal average. The maximum temperature reached 41.8 degrees Celsius, adding to the discomfort caused by high humidity levels.The last time Delhi recorded a higher minimum temperature was on June 14, 2024, when the mercury touched 33.3 degrees Celsius.
The IMD said heatwave conditions have persisted over the national capital, with the heat index, or “feels-like” temperature, rising significantly due to the combination of high temperatures and humidity. The heat index reached around 50 degrees Celsius, making outdoor conditions particularly uncomfortable.Meteorologists attributed the oppressive weather to high wet-bulb temperatures and elevated humidity levels, which reduce the body’s ability to cool itself through perspiration.The weather department said humidity is expected to remain high in the coming days, resulting in continued hot and uncomfortable conditions until monsoon showers arrive in Delhi.
Private weather forecasting agency Skymet has projected that the southwest monsoon may reach Delhi around July 4 if current atmospheric conditions remain favourable.Meanwhile, heatwave conditions continued in parts of Uttar Pradesh, with Prayagraj recording a maximum temperature of 43.4 degrees Celsius and Lucknow witnessing 39.7 degrees Celsius, around 3.6 degrees above normal.The IMD has forecast isolated heatwave conditions along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh over the next 24 hours.