The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the national capital, warning of light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds over the coming days. Despite cloudy skies and multiple forecasts predicting the onset of the southwest monsoon, Delhi continues to wait for substantial rainfall.
According to the IMD, gusty winds between 30–40 kmph—occasionally reaching up to 50 kmph during storms—are likely, particularly in the evening and night hours. The rain and cloud cover are expected to bring some relief from the heat, with maximum temperatures forecast to remain between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature is likely to hover around 28 degrees Celsius.
Weekly Forecast
For the upcoming week, Delhi is expected to see generally cloudy conditions, with chances of thunderstorms and intermittent light to very light rainfall until July 2. The IMD’s latest late-night bulletin, issued on June 26, suggests that no severe weather alerts are currently in place for the week ahead. While showers are expected to continue sporadically, there are no signs of an impending heatwave, offering some respite for residents.
Monsoon Still Elusive
Despite continued alerts and favourable atmospheric conditions, the monsoon has yet to firmly establish itself in Delhi. In its June 25 bulletin, the IMD had projected that the monsoon would likely reach the capital within 24 hours. However, only isolated areas recorded light showers, falling short of a full-fledged monsoon onset.
Meteorologists attribute the delay to a seasonal trough and a convergence line situated south of Delhi, which has been directing southeasterly winds over the region up to 2 km above the surface level. These conditions, while supportive of cloud formation, have not yet triggered widespread rainfall.
Air Quality Sees Improvement
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality showed improvement on Saturday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dipping into the ‘satisfactory’ category. At 8 a.m. on June 28, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an AQI of 86. This marks a notable improvement after several days in the ‘moderate’ range.
An AQI between 51 and 100 is classified as ‘satisfactory,’ while values below 50 are considered ‘good.’ Levels between 101 and 200 are labeled ‘moderate,’ with higher levels indicating increasingly poor air quality.
With the capital still awaiting consistent monsoon showers, weather watchers remain hopeful that sustained rainfall in the coming days will not only bring temperature relief but also further improve air quality conditions.
