Several parts of the National Capital witnessed gusty winds and a brief spell of intense weather activity on Saturday evening, with wind speeds reaching between 40 and 70 kilometres per hour, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The sudden change in weather brought a noticeable dip in temperatures and offered a brief respite from the day’s heat, although it also prompted a weather warning for the weekend.
Saturday’s maximum temperature was recorded at 39.7 degrees Celsius, marginally below the seasonal average by 0.3 degrees. The relative humidity during the day fluctuated between 64 per cent and 51 per cent.
The IMD reported varying wind speeds from different parts of the city during the short weather disturbance, which occurred mostly between 4:15 pm and 4:30 pm. In Najafgarh, wind speeds were recorded at 46 kmph, while Palam witnessed even stronger gusts at 56 kmph. Narayana recorded wind speeds of 41 kmph, Pragati Maidan at 48 kmph, and Pitampura at 31 kmph. At the city’s primary weather station in Safdarjung, gusts peaked at 40 kmph around 4:30 pm.
The brief spell of strong winds led to a temperature drop of nearly six degrees Celsius in the span of just 90 minutes — from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm — as per IMD data.
Meteorologists attributed the change to a regional weather disturbance impacting the National Capital Region (NCR). While no significant rainfall was reported, the gusty winds and cooler conditions marked a shift from the consistent heat experienced over the past week.
The IMD has issued a weather alert for the weekend, predicting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds in parts of Delhi and surrounding areas. A generally cloudy sky is expected on Sunday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures forecast to hover around 38 and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Despite the temporary weather relief, the air quality in Delhi remained in the “poor” category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 241 at 4 pm. According to the CPCB’s classification, an AQI between 201 and 300 is considered “poor”, which can lead to respiratory discomfort for sensitive groups.
Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious, particularly during stormy conditions expected over the weekend, and to take necessary precautions, especially in open and low-lying areas.