The weather department has bad news for the Capital. It has predicted that this year, the temperature may surpass last year’s maximum temperature of 45 degrees. The coming days will continue to be hot and humid.
“There are no chances that the heat will decrease; month by month, it will tend to increase. This year, the monsoon is expected in June-July. last year, it had hit the city on June 29. The record maximum temperature for May is 47.2 degree Celsius recorded in 1944,” said an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
However, the temperature in May this year too could touch this. There will be more hardship for Delhiites as temperatures begin to near 40 degrees from May. Also, there are very less chances of any more rain in April. The sweltering heat and extreme humidity is making it tough for the people. “There are indications that western disturbances may cause heatwaves, making it even more unbearable,” said a Met official.
Thursday’s maximum humidity was 60 per cent, while minimum was recorded at 17 per cent. Even if it does rain, humidity levels would further go up to 100 per cent.
In comparison to last year’s summer, there has been no major change. Temperature record for April 2012 was 38.7 degree Celsius, which is the same so far this year. 41.6 degree Celsius was the maximum temperature on April 12, 2010 while 45 degree Celsius was the maximum temperature for last year’s May and June.
With the maximum temperature averaging 36.11 degree C, the mildest peak summer was in 2008. Similarly, 2011, 2006, 2000, 2004, 2007 and 2008 all witnessed a lower peak summer mean. The maximum had touched 45.4 degree Celsius on May 18, 2010.
Temperature up by two degrees
The city experienced a hot, sunny Thursday, with maximum temperature settling two notches above average at 37.8 degrees Celsius. The Met office has forecast similar weather in store Friday.
The day’s minimum temperature was recorded two notches below average at 19.5 degrees Celsius. Friday would see clear skies and sunny skies, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). “The maximum and minimum temperatures will hover around 38 and 19 degrees,” said an IMD official. Wednesday’s maximum temperature was 37.1 degrees Celsius, which was a notch above average for this time of the year and the minimum was a notch above average at 21.9 degrees Celsius.