New Delhi: Rainfall across Delhi-NCR and several parts of north India on Wednesday brought temporary relief from the rising heat, with a noticeable dip in temperatures across the plains. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that the respite will be short-lived, as temperatures are expected to climb again over the next two days.
Light drizzle and overcast conditions were recorded in parts of Delhi and adjoining regions, while scattered showers and thunderstorms were reported in the western Himalayan belt and adjoining plains. Some areas of Rajasthan also witnessed hailstorms. Despite the rainfall, no further precipitation is expected in the plains in the immediate future, though light haze may persist in certain areas.
In Delhi, the minimum temperature on Wednesday hovered between 15 and 15.8 degrees Celsius, while the maximum dropped to around 21 degrees Celsius, offering significant relief from earlier warm conditions. According to the IMD forecast, between February 20 and 24, the minimum temperature is likely to range between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature is expected to rise steadily, reaching 30 to 32 degrees Celsius by February 24. With this increase, residents are likely to feel the return of strong daytime heat.
Weather officials said maximum temperatures across the northwestern plains are expected to increase by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in the coming days. Meanwhile, central India is unlikely to witness any significant temperature change over the next five days. States such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa are also expected to experience relatively stable weather conditions over the next two days.
Overall, while the recent rainfall provided a short-term cooling effect, rising temperatures are set to restore typical late-February warmth across north India.