Delhi on Wednesday witnessed scorching temperatures as the mercury soared to 37 degrees Celsius, marking a four-degree deviation from the normal and the highest recorded so far this year.
However, there is a glimmer of relief on the horizon as IMD forecasts predict slight rainfall over the next three days, which may bring down the rising temperatures.
Meanwhile, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 19.4 degrees Celsius, registering a slight increase of one degree above the usual.
Contrastingly, Delhi experienced a cooler February than usual this year, followed by below-average temperatures in the initial fortnight of March. As per available data, the highest maximum temperature ever recorded in March stands at 40.6 degrees Celsius, which was recorded on March 31, 1945.
Rains in parts of the country
Light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorm activity are predicted over the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains of northwest India until March 31, India Meteorological Department (IMD) mentioned in its latest weather bulletin.
During this time, a fresh spell of intense rainfall/thunderstorm is also likely over northeast India. States like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura will see rain activity for the next few days. Meanwhile, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim will also see rainy conditions till April 2.
Isolated light to moderate rainfall is likely over Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha on March 30 and 31.
Snowfall and wet weather in hilly regions
Another fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from March 29, 2024. Under its influence, widespread light rainfall and snowfall are predicted over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand till March 31.
Isolated hailstorms are also likely over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for the next few days.