Delhi swelters through its warmest morning in two years amid monsoon delay

Delhi sweltered through its warmest morning in two years on Sunday, as the minimum temperature settled at 31.1 degrees Celsius, significantly above the seasonal average. The city's maximum temperature reached 41.8 degrees Celsius, with a heatwave gripping the capital and some areas experiencing a 'feel-like' temperature around 50.7 degrees Celsius.

The delay in the arrival of the southwest monsoon, typically around June 27-28, is contributing to the unusually high temperatures and humidity. Weather forecasting agency Skymet attributes this to the interaction of dry westerly winds from Pakistan and moist southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea.

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When these dry and moist air masses interact, clouds do form, but there is not enough moisture for widespread rainfall. By the time cloud formation takes place, usually around 4 or 5 pm, the day's maximum temperature has already been recorded. That is why both the maximum temperature and the 'feel-like' temperature have remained unusually high.

According to Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet, this interaction forms clouds but lacks sufficient moisture for widespread rainfall. By the time clouds develop in the afternoon, the day's peak temperature has already been recorded, leading to both high actual and 'feel-like' temperatures.

The monsoon is now expected to reach Delhi around July 4, provided conditions remain favorable. This delay means residents will continue to endure the intense heat and humidity for at least another week.

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Normally, the monsoon reaches Delhi around June 27-28, after which temperatures begin to ease and humidity increases. This year, however, the monsoon is likely to be delayed by about a week. Dry westerly winds from Pakistan are keeping temperatures high, while southwesterly winds from the Arabian Sea are also reaching Delhi and increasing humidity.