Rain for a moment, sunny in the next: How Delhi-NCR's weather is looking today?
The grey skies and cool breeze offered a momentary break from the heat, but the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has made clear that the day is far from over.
People in Delhi-NCR stepping out early on Wednesday morning were greeted by an unusually overcast sky and a brief, mild spell of rain.
The brief spell of showers brought comfort for a city that had been sweating through a warm, humid May.
The grey skies and cool breeze offered a momentary break from the heat, but the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has made clear that the day is far from over, and the more significant weather is still on its way.
HOW IS THE WEATHER TODAY?
Delhi-NCR began the day with patchy early morning drizzles and then quickly gave way to sunshine and warm conditions.
The brief shift in otherwise warm weather is due to a passing western disturbance affecting northwest India during the pre-monsoon season, and continues to create possibilities of isolated thunderstorms in some areas.
With the brief morning drizzle over, Delhi is looking at a day that will stay warm.
According to the IMD's Regional Weather Forecast Centre in Delhi, Wednesday will see partly cloudy skies through the day, with the possibility of very light rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds during the late evening and night hours.
Residents should expect lightning in the night sky, and are advised to stay indoors.
Despite the clouds and rain, daytime temperatures will remain warm. The maximum temperature on Wednesday is expected to range between 37–39°C, while the minimum will stay between 26–28°C.
For context, Tuesday's maximum at Safdarjung, Delhi's base weather station, was recorded at 39°C, roughly half a degree below normal, while the minimum was 27.6°C, slightly above normal.
And then on the night of May 12, rain lashed parts of Delhi-NCR with images and videos of winds and rain flooding social media.
WHAT'S AHEAD?
From Thursday, May 14, conditions are expected to begin clearing, which means clear skies and rising temperatures.
By Friday, May 15, the IMD forecasts mainly clear skies across Delhi-NCR, a trend that is likely to hold through to May 18. Until then, temperatures are projected to climb sharply, reaching 40-42°C by May 17 and 18, as minimum temperatures also creep up to 27-29°C.
The IMD has also noted that a fresh western disturbance, a weather system that periodically brings rain and cloud cover to North India, is likely to affect Northwest India from May 15.
For Delhi residents, it's a chance to enjoy what remains of Wednesday's cloud cover, brace for a stormy night, and stock up on patience as a sharp heat surge is just around the corner.