Delhi weekend cool spell: IMD warns of 6-7°C temperature rise from Sunday
Synopsis
Friday was Delhi's coolest day in nearly three weeks at 36.8°C — but the IMD is already flagging a 6-7°C temperature rebound within five days. A yellow alert for thunderstorms covers the weekend, after a western disturbance slashed temperatures by up to 9.4°C and pushed AQI from 207 to 123 in a single day.
Key Takeaways
Friday, 30 May was Delhi's coolest day in three weeks, with Safdarjung recording 36.8°C — four degrees below seasonal average.
IMD has issued a yellow alert for Saturday and Sunday , forecasting light rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds.
Temperatures are expected to rise by 6 to 7°C over the five days following 30 May .
Maximum temperatures fell by 7.5 to 9.4°C between Wednesday and Friday due to a western disturbance.
Delhi's AQI improved from 207 on 28 May to 123 on 29 May ; CAQM revoked GRAP Stage-I restrictions.
The IMD projects southwest monsoon rainfall at around 90% of the Long Period Average in 2025, with below-normal rain likely across most of India.
Delhi residents will get a brief but welcome break from summer heat this weekend, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirming that maximum temperatures will stay below seasonal norms through Saturday, 31 May, before climbing by 6 to 7 degrees Celsius over the following five days. The reprieve follows a sharp weather shift that made Friday, 30 May the coolest day in the national Capital in nearly three weeks.
What Brought the Relief
A lingering western disturbance triggered strong winds, thunderstorms, and light rain across Delhi-NCR late on Thursday evening, pulling maximum temperatures down by 7.5 to 9.4 degrees Celsius between Wednesday and Friday. The highest wind gust of 61 kmph was recorded at Palam. By Friday, the maximum temperature at the city's base station, Safdarjung, settled at 36.8°C — four degrees below the seasonal average and sharply lower than Thursday's reading of 41.1°C. Humidity, however, kept the 'feels-like' temperature elevated at around 39.5°C during afternoon hours.
How Hot It Got Before the Break
The relief came after an intense heat spell. On 27 May, the mercury touched 45.6°C at Ridge, 44.4°C at Ayanagar, and 44.3°C at Safdarjung. According to IMD data, Thursday's maximum temperatures were already 3 to 5 degrees Celsius lower than those recorded the previous day — the first sign of the incoming weather change.
Delhi has already logged two significant heatwave spells this summer. The first ran from 23 to 25 April, with Safdarjung recording an official heatwave day on 25 April when the maximum hit 42.8°C. The second spell lasted from 18 to 21 May, with Safdarjung registering 45.1°C on 19 May — its sole official heatwave day in that period.
IMD Alert for the Weekend
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi on both Saturday and Sunday, forecasting light rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain suppressed until 30 May, after which a gradual rise of 6 to 7 degrees Celsius is projected over the following five days, signalling a return to near-peak summer conditions by early June.
Air Quality Improves, GRAP Stage-I Revoked
The weather shift also delivered an air quality dividend. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reported that Delhi's daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) improved sharply from 207 on 28 May to 123 on 29 May. In response, the CAQM's Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) revoked all actions under Stage-I across the NCR with immediate effect.
Monsoon Outlook: Below Normal for Most of India
In a separate briefing, the IMD said the southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over India is expected to be around 90 per cent of the Long Period Average this year. While northeastern states are likely to receive normal rainfall, most other parts of the country may witness below-normal precipitation — a concern for agriculture and water reservoirs heading into the kharif season.
Point of View
Well before the monsoon arrives. More telling is the IMD's monsoon outlook: 90% of the Long Period Average, with below-normal rain for most of India, points to a season that will not reliably break the heat cycle. The GRAP Stage-I revocation is procedurally correct given the AQI drop, but a single weather event should not be mistaken for a structural air-quality improvement — conditions can deteriorate rapidly once temperatures climb and winds die down.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Delhi's temperature drop so sharply this week?
A western disturbance brought strong winds, thunderstorms, and light rain to Delhi-NCR late on Thursday evening, causing maximum temperatures to fall by 7.5 to 9.4 degrees Celsius between Wednesday and Friday. The highest wind gust of 61 kmph was recorded at Palam.
What is the IMD yellow alert for Delhi this weekend?
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi on Saturday and Sunday, forecasting light rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds. Residents should expect continued cool conditions before temperatures begin rising from Sunday onwards.
When will Delhi's heat return after this weekend?
According to the IMD, maximum temperatures are expected to rise gradually by 6 to 7 degrees Celsius over the five days following 30 May, signalling a return to near-peak summer conditions by early June.
How many heatwave spells has Delhi seen this summer?
Delhi has recorded two significant heatwave spells so far in 2025. The first was from 23 to 25 April, and the second from 18 to 21 May. Safdarjung, the city's base weather station, logged official heatwave days on 25 April (42.8°C) and 19 May (45.1°C).
What is the monsoon forecast for India in 2025?
The IMD projects that southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall will be around 90 per cent of the Long Period Average in 2025. Northeastern states are expected to receive normal rainfall, but most other parts of India may see below-normal precipitation.
