New Delhi: At 38.2°C, the city on Tuesday recorded its hottest day of the year, seemingly offering the preview of a likely intense summer ahead. The mercury may continue climbing over the next few days, potentially touching 42°C by Friday.Despite a relatively mild start to this summer, largely due to frequent rainfall from western disturbances, the recent shift in weather patterns because of calm winds and cloudless skies has accelerated a steady rise in temperatures in the region.Tuesday’s maximum was two notches above normal, surpassing the earlier seasonal high of 36.8°C recorded on April 2 and March 11 this year. On Monday, the reading was at 36.1°C.According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi’s temperatures are expected to continue rising, approaching 40°C on Wednesday, 41°C the next day and 42°C by Friday. While these figures are on the higher side of the scale, meteorological officials have not yet issued a formal heatwave alert for the capital.According to IMD criteria, a heatwave is declared when temperatures exceed 40°C, with a departure of at least 4.5°C above normal, or when they cross 45°C in the plains.A weak western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region and parts of north Punjab from Wednesday night, but is unlikely to bring any significant change to Delhi-NCR’s weather.“We observed stronger surface winds on Sunday and Monday, which helped keep temperatures in check. However, as winds slowed on Tuesday and the skies remained clear, temperatures rose sharply,” an IMD official explained.The mercury’s upward movement in the capital has been gradual but consistent this month. The maximum temperature was 30.8°C on April 9, climbing to 32.8°C on April 10, and then to 34.7°C on April 11 and 12. It further increased to 36.1°C on April 13 before reaching Tuesday’s peak.Weather experts caution that the current conditions could soon lead to heatwave conditions across northwest India. Mahesh Palawat of Skymet noted that low wind speeds and persistent clear skies are key factors driving the heat build-up.Historically, April has seen even higher temperatures in Delhi. Last year, the city recorded 42.1°C on April 26, while the all-time April record remains 45.6°C, set in 1941.Meanwhile, air quality in the capital remained within the ‘moderate’ bracket on Tuesday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 167, slightly higher than Monday’s 149. Forecasts indicate that AQI is likely to stay moderate through the end of the week.
