New Delhi: Delhi-NCR woke up to cloudy and breezy weather on Friday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting generally overcast conditions throughout the day and the possibility of very light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning till evening. Air quality across the city remained in the moderate category.
The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be in the range of 29 to 31 degrees Celsius and 19 to 21 degrees Celsius, respectively.
“A spell of very light rain or drizzle accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning and gusty winds speed (20-30) gusting to 40 kmph is expected during morning to forenoon. Another spell of very light rain accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning and gusty winds speed (20-30) gusting to 40 kmph is likely during afternoon to evening,” the weather office said.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘moderate’ category with an AQI of 160. The air quality is likely to remain in the ‘moderate’ category till March 28, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System.
More rainfall predicted
Experts said that March witnessed unusual rainfall activity due to a series of western disturbances. “March observed unusual rainfall activity. Typically, the month sees only isolated pre-monsoon showers, but this time there have been multiple spells of rain. This is due to a series of western disturbances, one of which has been active since March 15 and is approaching at a lower altitude than usual,” said Mahesh Palawat of Skymet.
He added that another western disturbance has induced a cyclonic circulation over central Pakistan and adjoining parts of northwest Rajasthan and west Haryana.
“As a result, parts of Delhi are likely to experience high wind speeds, light rain and mild dust storms on Friday,” he said.
Palwat also said that while the system is unlikely to have a significantly impact on temperatures immediately, more pronounced effect is expected towards the end of the month.
He predicted widespread rainfall activity across large parts of India between March 29 and 31 and said this would bring down temperatures