Delhi Weather Shift: Rare Western Disturbance Drops Temperatures 4.5 Degrees Below Normal
A rare western disturbance drops Delhi temperatures well below normal with heavy unseasonal rainfall.
Parts of Delhi and the wider NCR region experienced an unusual spell of rain and cooler temperatures on Friday as a “rare” Western Disturbance impacted North India. The sudden shift in weather comes even as the region is transitioning toward the summer season, catching residents off guard.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature dropped to 16°C, around 4.5 degrees below normal. Rainfall and strong winds were recorded across Delhi as well as nearby areas, including Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad, leading to a noticeable dip in both day and night temperatures.
The maximum temperature also fell significantly, settling at 26.8°C on Thursday, nearly 4.7 degrees below normal and the lowest recorded in almost a month. This cooler-than-usual weather has been attributed to an active western disturbance system, which has intensified conditions across northwest India.
Also Read: Delhi-NCR Orange Alert: Rain, Gusty Winds, and Flight Diversions to Continue Till Friday
Weather experts have described the system as rare due to its unusual structure. Climate observers noted that the disturbance includes a long, straight trough stretching thousands of kilometres, a formation not commonly seen. Such a configuration increases the likelihood of thunderstorms, strong winds, and intermittent heavy rainfall.
Independent weather analysts have warned that the next few hours are critical for north India, with moderate to intense rainfall expected before conditions gradually improve. Some forecasts also indicated that the weather system would shift eastward later in the day, bringing rainfall to parts of Uttar Pradesh, including cities like Lucknow and Kanpur.
Despite the temporary relief from early summer heat, the IMD has indicated that temperatures are expected to rise again over the weekend as the system weakens. Forecasts suggest daytime temperatures could climb back to around 31–32°C in the coming days, signalling a return to warmer conditions across the region.
Also Read: Delhi-NCR Orange Alert: Rain, Gusty Winds, and Flight Diversions to Continue Till Friday
