Delhi temperatures dip below normal on 2 May; IMD forecasts partly cloudy skies
Synopsis
A Thursday hailstorm and rainfall broke Delhi's April heatwave streak, pulling temperatures 2.9°C below seasonal average on 2 May. With partly cloudy skies forecast for Saturday and AQI holding in the 'moderate' band, the capital has a brief window of relief — though temperatures could climb back toward 41°C by the weekend.
Key Takeaways
Delhi's maximum temperature on 2 May settled at 36.4°C at Safdarjung , which is 2.9 degrees below the seasonal average.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 22.8°C , also 1.9 degrees below normal .
The IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies for Saturday, 3 May , with maximum temperatures expected between 38 and 41°C .
Air quality remained in the 'moderate' category, with Jahangirpuri logging the highest AQI at 157 and JNU the lowest at 95 .
The cooldown followed rainfall and hailstorms that hit parts of the capital on Thursday, 1 May .
New Delhi residents are experiencing notable relief from the intense heatwave that gripped the capital through much of April 2025, as temperatures dipped below seasonal averages on Friday, 2 May. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast partly cloudy skies for Saturday, which is expected to moderate any further rise in temperatures, while air quality across the city remained in the 'moderate' category.
Temperature Drops Below Seasonal Average
The cooldown followed rainfall and hailstorms that lashed parts of Delhi on Thursday, pulling temperatures well below normal levels by Friday. According to the IMD, the maximum temperature at Safdarjung — the city's base weather station — settled at 36.4 degrees Celsius, which is 2.9 degrees below the seasonal average. The minimum temperature was recorded at 22.8 degrees Celsius, also 1.9 degrees below normal.
Other weather stations across the national capital registered similar dips. Palam recorded a maximum of 35.1 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road logged 34.6 degrees, Ridge recorded 34.9 degrees, and Ayanagar recorded 35.4 degrees — all several degrees below the usual range for early May. Minimum temperatures followed the same trend, with Palam at 21.3 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road at 21.8 degrees, Ridge at 20.4 degrees, and Ayanagar at 21.4 degrees.
What the IMD Has Forecast for Saturday
For Saturday, 3 May, the IMD has predicted partly cloudy skies with maximum temperatures expected to range between 38 and 41 degrees Celsius. While this marks a step up from Friday's readings, it still represents a significant moderation compared to the peak heatwave conditions seen in April. Light winds in the evening are likely to bring partial relief, though residents may still experience some discomfort due to humidity levels.
This is consistent with a broader weather pattern across northern India, where western disturbances and associated precipitation have periodically interrupted what has otherwise been an early and aggressive summer season in 2025.
Air Quality Remains 'Moderate' Across Delhi
Air quality in the capital remained in the 'moderate' category on Friday, with AQI readings varying across monitoring stations. Jahangirpuri recorded the highest reading at 157, followed by Rohini at 149, Sonia Vihar at 141, Narela at 140, Anand Vihar at 136, and Mundka at 136.
Other stations recorded comparatively lower readings: Dwarka Sector 8 at 131, Burari Crossing at 122, IIT Delhi at 116, Aya Nagar at 115, DTU at 112, Commonwealth Sports Complex at 109, North Campus at 109, RK Puram at 108, Wazirpur at 106, Chandni Chowk at 100, and JNU at 95. An AQI between 101 and 200 is classified as 'moderate' under India's National Air Quality Index, indicating that sensitive groups may experience minor health effects with prolonged exposure.
Relief After a Difficult April
The temperature dip has come as a welcome respite for Delhi residents who endured rising heat over the past several weeks. April 2025 was marked by recurring heatwave conditions across the Indo-Gangetic plain, with the capital recording above-normal temperatures on multiple days. The rainfall and hailstorm activity on Thursday effectively broke that spell, at least temporarily.
With Saturday's forecast pointing to partly cloudy conditions and a possible return toward the upper 30s, residents and health authorities will be watching whether the relief holds through the coming week or whether temperatures rebound sharply as May progresses.
Point of View
But it should not obscure a troubling pattern: the capital's April heatwaves are intensifying in both frequency and duration, and a single thunderstorm providing relief is increasingly the exception rather than a structural improvement. The 'moderate' AQI readings, while better than the hazardous levels seen in winter, mask the fact that several north Delhi stations — Jahangirpuri, Rohini, Narela — are consistently in the upper moderate band, suggesting localised pollution sources that weather alone cannot address. As May progresses, the real question is whether the IMD's seasonal forecast of above-normal temperatures for northwest India will reassert itself once this western disturbance passes.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Delhi's temperature drop below normal on 2 May 2025?
Delhi's temperature fell below seasonal averages following rainfall and hailstorms that struck parts of the city on Thursday, 1 May. The maximum temperature at Safdarjung dropped to 36.4°C, which is 2.9 degrees below the seasonal norm.
What is the IMD weather forecast for Delhi on Saturday, 3 May?
The India Meteorological Department has forecast partly cloudy skies for Delhi on Saturday, 3 May, with maximum temperatures expected to range between 38 and 41 degrees Celsius. Light evening winds are likely to provide some relief from humidity.
What is Delhi's AQI today and is it safe?
Delhi's AQI on 2 May remained in the 'moderate' category across all monitoring stations, ranging from 95 at JNU to 157 at Jahangirpuri. An AQI in this range (101–200) is generally considered acceptable for the general public, though sensitive groups may experience minor discomfort with prolonged outdoor exposure.
Which areas in Delhi recorded the highest and lowest temperatures on 2 May?
Safdarjung recorded the highest maximum temperature at 36.4°C, while Lodhi Road logged the lowest at 34.6°C. For minimum temperatures, Ridge recorded the lowest at 20.4°C and Palam the highest among the listed stations at 21.3°C.
Will the heatwave return to Delhi after this brief relief?
The IMD's forecast for Saturday indicates temperatures could rise back toward 38–41°C, suggesting the relief may be temporary. Meteorologists have flagged that northwest India is expected to see above-normal temperatures through May 2025, meaning the heatwave conditions could reassert themselves once the current weather system passes.
