The maximum temperature in Delhi on Saturday settled at 40.5 degrees Celsius, which is three notches above normal for this time of the year. The minimum temperature was recorded at 24.3 degrees Celsius, which is four notches below normal for this season, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The relative humidity in the weather of Delhi on Saturday was recorded at 58 per cent and 35 per cent in the evening. According to data released by the weather station, the observatories at Ridge, Ayanagar, Najafgarh, Pitampura, Palam, and Lodhi Road recorded maximum temperatures of 41.5 degrees Celsius, 41 degrees Celsius, 42.9 degrees Celsius, 41.4 degrees Celsius, 41.2 degrees Celsius and 40.1 degrees Celsius respectively. The weatherman predicted that an intense spell of rainfall is very likely to continue along west coast during next five days.“Enhanced rainfall activity is likely over Northwest and Central India from 27th June,” he said. Delhi on 26 June will witness a partly clouded sky with the maximum temperature touching up to 40 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature will dip to 26 degree Celsius, the IMD predicted.
According to an IMD bulletin, generally cloudy skies with the possibility of thunderstorms are expected from June 27 and light rain with gusty winds from June 28. "Temperature is expected to drop from June 27 with thunderstorm and light rain," said Mahesh Palawat, vice president (climate change and meteorology) of Skymet Weather.
The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded in the moderate (224) category around 6 pm, data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) showed. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.