Unexpected Delhi Weather: Torrential Rain and Winds Drench the City
Delhi residents were caught off guard Tuesday afternoon when a sudden and intense thunderstorm rolled through the city, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. The downpour, which lasted from 3:30 pm to 5 pm, was a stark contrast to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) prediction of a hot day with mild winds.
A Soaking Surprise
The IMD had forecast a hot day with a maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius, which was accurate for the first half of the day. However, thunderclouds began to gather around 3 pm, leading to the unexpected deluge. Winds reached speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour, causing waterlogging in some areas.
Convective Rain Explained
An IMD official explained that this was a case of “convective rain,” a phenomenon where high temperatures combined with moisture lead to short but powerful bursts of rainfall.
IMD’s Rainfall Predictions Under Fire
This wasn’t the first time the IMD’s rainfall forecasts have missed the mark this month. On May 2nd, the IMD predicted light rain or drizzle, but Delhi received 77mm of rainfall, the second-highest single-day rainfall for May on record.
Delhi’s May Rainfall Surges
With this recent downpour, Delhi has now recorded 90.8mm of rainfall in May, nearly three times the long-period average of 30.7mm. Last May, the city received only 0.4mm of rainfall.
Looking Ahead
The IMD has not issued any color-coded alerts for Wednesday and forecasts partially cloudy skies with no rainfall. The maximum temperature is predicted to be between 39°C and 41°C.
Air Quality Improves
The rainfall has positively impacted Delhi’s air quality. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) on Tuesday was 141 (“moderate”), an improvement from 162 recorded the day before. The AQI is expected to remain “moderate” until Friday.
