Light Rain Lashes Delhi After Hottest Feb Day in 5 Years; IMD Issues Yellow Alert

New Delhi: After a record-breaking warm spell, residents of Delhi-NCR woke up to a sharp shift in weather today (February 18) as light rain and thunderstorms lashed several parts of the national capital, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert for the region.

IMD Yellow alert

The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi, forecasting cloudy skies and intermittent precipitation throughout the day. 

As per IMD, Delhiites can expect early morning thunderstorms and lightning at isolated spots, while additional scattered showers are predicted for the afternoon. 

Relief from Unseasonable Heat

The sudden showers follow a period of unseasonably high temperatures as Delhi recorded its hottest February day in five years, with the mercury touching 31.6°C- seven notches above the seasonal average on Monday. 

Today’s rain, triggered by a Western Disturbance, has brought a temporary reprieve, with the maximum temperature expected to dip to around 27°C.

IMD Forecast and Alerts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned residents of continued light rainfall and isolated thunderstorms throughout the day, maintaining a yellow alert for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh. 

According to the latest bulletin, the region is likely to experience gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph, particularly during the afternoon hours. Despite the shift in weather, temperatures are expected to remain relatively stable, with the maximum and minimum hovering around 27°C and 14°C, respectively.

Outlook for the Week

Weather experts suggest this cooling effect will be short-lived and conditions are expected to stabilize by February 19, with misty mornings likely to follow. 

However, temperatures are predicted to climb steadily again, potentially reaching 31°C to 33°C by early next week as the summer-like conditions return to the plains of Northwest India.

Noida, Gurugram weather forecast

In Noida, the IMD has forecast generally cloudy skies with light rain for today. Temperatures are expected to range between a maximum of 26°C and a minimum of 11°C. 

Looking ahead, the weather is set to clear up, with mainly clear skies predicted for the next few days.

Gurugram is likely to experience partly cloudy conditions, with the possibility of one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. 

The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 28°C, while the minimum will settle near 14°C. Similar to Noida, clear skies are forecast to return to Gurugram for the remainder of the week.

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