Peak summer here early, Delhi sees year's 1st heatwave

Delhi is experiencing an early summer heatwave, with temperatures soaring past 40 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung. The met department forecasts the heatwave to persist until Wednesday. This marks the second-earliest instance of such high temperatures in 15 years. Relief is anticipated from April 10th, with potential thunderstorms and strong winds.

NEW DELHI: It's just the first week of April and Delhi's already getting a taste of peak summer. The city suffered the season's first heatwave day Monday with the mercury crossing 40 degrees Celsius at base station Safdarjung and other places. The met department said the heatwave spell is likely to persist till Wednesday.

This was the second-earliest instance of temperatures crossing 40-plus in the season at Safdarjung in at least 15 years. In 2021, the first 40-plus day was logged on March 30 (40.1 degrees C).

By contrast, 2012 had the most delayed onset of 40-plus temperatures, with mercury staying below 40 degrees C till May 6. No heatwave was observed in April 2024 and 2023. As of now, the current month appears to be following the trend of April 2022, when four heatwave days were recorded between 8th and 11th.

Expect respite from heat spell from April 10 That was the hottest April in records going back to 2011. Last year, the month of May recorded five heatwave days. The met department said the temperature rose on Monday due to calm winds and clear skies.

The maximum temperature at the base station Safdarjung was 40.2 degrees C, five notches above normal and the highest so far this year. This was also two degrees higher than the 38.

2 degrees Celsius recorded a day earlier. Both Ayanagar and Ridge were the warmest in the city at 41 degrees C. The minimum temperature also soared by two notches on Monday, settling at 20.

2 degrees Celsius, the normal for the season. With several parts of northwest India in the grip of extreme heat conditions, India Meteorological Department expects heatwave conditions in Delhi to continue on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, respite is expected from Thursday, April 10, with the possibility of thunderstorms and strong winds.

"Three stations, Safdarjung, Ridge, and Ayanagar, are satisfying heatwave conditions today (April 7). From April 10, temperatures are likely to fall over northwest India, including Delhi," said a Met official. A heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature is at least 40 degrees C and it is 4.

5 degrees or more above normal for at least two days in a row..