Delhi Weather Update: Delhi woke up to light rain on Wednesday morning, bringing a welcome change after an unusually warm spell that had pushed temperatures far above normal for February. Dark clouds hovered over the skyline, and a steady drizzle in several parts of the city signaled a sharp shift in weather conditions that residents had not expected just days earlier.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said light rainfall or drizzle was very likely across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The department also forecast gusty winds ranging between 30 and 40 kmph during the afternoon hours, adding that weather activity could intensify in some surrounding areas.
The showers came immediately after Delhi recorded its hottest day of the year so far. On Monday, the mercury soared to 31.6°C — nearly seven degrees above the seasonal average — marking the earliest instance in five years that February temperatures crossed the 30°C mark. Even Tuesday remained unseasonably warm, with Safdarjung observatory logging a maximum of 30.9°C, about 6.5 degrees above normal.
Weather officials noted that such early spikes in temperature are rare but not unprecedented. The last time Delhi witnessed a 30°C-plus reading this early in February was in 2021. The sudden rainfall, therefore, has come as both relief and reminder of how quickly weather patterns can shift during the transitional winter-to-summer phase.
Rainfall activity was not limited to the national capital. The IMD indicated that light showers were likely in several districts of Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan over the next few hours. Areas in Haryana such as Sonipat, Jhajjar, Rewari and Rohtak were expected to receive light rain, while parts of western Uttar Pradesh including Meerut, Hapur and Shamli could also see drizzle. In Rajasthan, districts like Alwar, Bhiwadi and Kotputli were placed on alert.
An orange-coloured nowcast was issued for north Rajasthan, warning of light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 40–60 kmph. Meanwhile, Delhi and neighboring states including Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh were placed under a yellow alert for light rainfall over the next few hours.
Station-wise data highlighted how warm the city had been before the rain arrived. Safdarjung recorded a maximum of 30.9°C and a minimum of 12.4°C. Ayanagar reported a high of 29.9°C, while Palam saw warmer nighttime conditions with a minimum of 15.3°C. Lodhi Road and the Ridge also recorded maximum temperatures close to 29°C, reinforcing how widespread the heat was across the capital.
For Wednesday, the IMD has predicted cooler conditions, with the maximum temperature expected to settle around 27°C and the minimum near 14°C. Cloudy skies are likely to persist through the day, and intermittent light showers may continue in isolated pockets of Delhi-NCR.
Despite the rainfall, air quality in the city remains a concern. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 249, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. Under CPCB standards, AQI levels between 201 and 300 are considered poor and can cause breathing discomfort for sensitive groups. Experts say sustained rainfall and stronger winds would be needed to significantly improve pollution levels.
The sudden swing from intense February heat to cool, rainy weather has once again highlighted the unpredictability of the capital’s climate. For now, residents are enjoying the temporary relief from soaring temperatures, even as authorities continue to monitor conditions closely.