Parts of Delhi on Saturday experienced a sudden change in weather, with strong winds bringing the much needed relief from the summer heat. The national capital recorded its highest maximum temperature in the last three years, with the mercury touching 42.1 degrees Celsius.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the last time a higher temperature was recorded was in 2022, when the maximum had reached 43.5 degrees Celsius. The national capital on Saturday recorded a minimum temperature of 20.7 degrees Celsius, 3.1 notches below the season’s average. Humidity levels fluctuated between 35 per cent and 15 per cent.
The maximum temperature of Safdarjung weather station was recorded 42.1 degree Celsius, Palam 42.3 degree Celsius, Lodhi Road 41.9 degree Celsius, Ridge 43.3 degree Celsius, Aya Nagar 42.6 degree Celsius, Rajghat 39.4 degree Celsius, Pusa 40.1 degree Celsius, Najafgarh 40.1 degree Celsius and Pitampura 41.8 degree Celsius.
The weather department has forecast a partly cloudy sky for Sunday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to hover around 41 degrees Celsius and 24 degrees Celsius, respectively.
According to IMD, the Maximum and Minimum temperatures are in the range of 42 to 43°C and 19 to 24°C respectively. The minimum temperatures were appreciably below normal by 1-4°C and maximum temperatures are above normal by 2-4°C over most places over Delhi.
Meanwhile, the city’s air quality remained in the “poor” category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 247 at 4 pm, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said.
According to the CPCB, 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”.