The IMD predicts that Delhi will see some relief starting Wednesday. The national capital is anticipated to be under a ‘yellow’ alert on both Wednesday and Thursday.
On Tuesday, June 18, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red’ alert for Delhi due to an intense heatwave. Temperatures were forecast to soar to 45 degrees Celsius, up from 45.2 degrees Celsius the previous day. The weather office, however, expects some respite from the extreme heat starting June 19.
The weather office predicts predominantly clear skies and heatwave to severe heatwave conditions across many areas of Delhi on Tuesday. Strong surface winds are also expected throughout the day.
The IMD’s seven-day forecast suggests that Delhi will experience some relief starting Wednesday. The national capital is projected to be under a ‘yellow’ alert on both Wednesday and Thursday, transitioning to a ‘green’ alert on Friday and Saturday.
The IMD stated that starting Wednesday, a new western disturbance will approach northwest India, impacting the national capital and providing relief from the heat.
The IMD weather bulletin indicates that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are expected in most areas of Uttar Pradesh from June 18 to 19, and in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi on June 18. Isolated regions in Himachal Pradesh and Bihar will also experience these conditions on June 18, with a subsequent decrease in intensity across these regions.
On Monday, Delhi experienced heatwave to severe heatwave conditions across most areas. The Safdarjung observatory, the city’s main weather station, recorded a high of 45.2 degrees Celsius, which is 6.4 degrees above the seasonal average. The morning was also unusually warm, with the minimum temperature reaching 33 degrees Celsius, 5.5 degrees above normal.
The Palam weather station reported a maximum temperature of 46 degrees Celsius, which is seven degrees above normal. Meanwhile, the Lodhi Road, Ridge, and Ayanagar observatories recorded temperatures of 45.6 degrees, 46.3 degrees, and 46.4 degrees Celsius, respectively.
At the Najafgarh observatory, the temperature peaked at 46.3 degrees Celsius, marking a significant seven degrees above the usual norms.
A heat wave is classified when the maximum temperature at a weather station reaches 40 degrees Celsius in plains, 37 degrees in coastal areas, and 30 degrees in hilly regions, with a departure from normal of at least 4.5 degrees.
The IMD employs four color codes to indicate weather warnings: green (no action required), yellow (stay updated and vigilant), orange (be prepared), and red (take immediate action).
