New Delhi: Delhi witnessed unusual weather on Friday. The day began with a dust storm in the morning. As the day progressed the sun came out and clear skies prevailed in the city. By evening however, clouds could be seen in the sky and parts of the city received light rains. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had declared an orange alert by late evening, predicting more rains and lightning.
Partly cloudy skies, light rains possible on Saturday
While the city saw strong surface winds of 20 km/hr and a dust storm on Friday morning, the maximum temperature in the city was 33.7 degrees Celsius. The minimum was recorded at 22.4 degrees Celsius, which was 3.4 degrees above normal.
The dust storm which hit Delhi-NCR on Friday morning, caused a spike in Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI was moderate at 194 on Thursday, but it worsened considerably following the storm. Visibility was also considerably reduced on certain stretches of the road.
Light rains started in isolated pockets in the evening, which later spread to the entire Delhi-NCR.
For Saturday Delhi is expected to witness a partly cloudy sky with light rains and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, said IMD officials, quoted by the Hindustan Times. Strong winds are also possible in the city, they added.
The maximum temperature may fall further on the day. It is expected to remain between 29-31 degrees Celsius. This is below the normal temperature usually seen in the national capital region, during this time of the year.
Similar weather patterns are expected to continue on Sunday. Thunderstorms and light rains, accompanied by strong winds are possible during the afternoon and evening hours on the day. Due to the rain, the maximum temperature will be below normal over the weekend, said IMD scientists. From Monday, rains are expected to stop, while partly cloudy skies will continue.
Reason for rains in Delhi-NCR
The IMD has attributed the unusual weather phenomenon in April, being seen in Delhi-NCR to 2 successive western disturbances which hit the city. The peak of these is expected around April 3-4 and then again on April 7.
An western disturbance and associated cyclonic circulations influenced the weather in the entire northwestern part of the country, said the weather department. They have said that such unpredictable weather is expected to continue for a few more days, at least till next week.