Delhi-NCR weather: Cloudy skies, 33-35°C forecast and moderate AQI on June 17
Synopsis
Delhi's punishing June heat has taken a pause — and the IMD says it isn't over yet. Tuesday's rain pushed Safdarjung to its coolest day this month, 5.5°C below normal, and thunderstorms are forecast through 21 June. A Western Disturbance adds further moisture from the northwest. The real question is what happens in the final week of June, when temperatures are expected to climb back sharply.
Key Takeaways
IMD forecasts partly cloudy skies, light rain, and thunderstorms for New Delhi on 17 June , with maximum temperature between 33°C and 35°C .
Safdarjung recorded a maximum of 33.3°C on Tuesday — 5.5°C below normal — the coolest day in Delhi so far this June.
Maximum temperatures may stay 1.6°C to 3°C below normal ; thunderstorm activity forecast until 21 June .
A fresh Western Disturbance is expected to bring light to moderate rain over the Western Himalayan region from 18 to 22 June .
Delhi's air quality remains 'moderate' ; Anand Vihar (AQI 155) and Pusa (128) recorded the highest readings among monitored stations.
Temperatures are expected to rise gradually after 21 June , with a sharper increase likely in the final week of June .
New Delhi residents woke to a noticeably cooler Wednesday, 17 June, as partly cloudy skies and lingering atmospheric moisture continued to suppress temperatures across the capital and its satellite towns. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light rain, thunderstorms, and isolated lightning activity through the day, with the maximum temperature expected to stay between 33°C and 35°C and the minimum between 26°C and 28°C.
How Tuesday's Rain Reset the City
The relief follows a dramatic weather shift on Tuesday, 16 June, when rain, gusty winds, and overcast conditions triggered a sharp temperature drop across Delhi-NCR, effectively ending a stretch of heatwave-like conditions that had gripped the region for several days. At Safdarjung — the city's primary weather observatory — the maximum temperature settled at 33.3°C, a full 5.5 degrees below the seasonal normal, making it the coolest day recorded in Delhi so far this June.
What the IMD Forecast Says
Meteorologists note that both daytime and nighttime temperatures are likely to remain below seasonal averages in the near term. Maximum temperatures may stay 1.6°C to 3°C below normal across most parts of the city, sustained by residual moisture in the atmosphere. The IMD has extended its thunderstorm forecast for Delhi and surrounding areas until 21 June. A gradual warming trend is expected after that, with a more pronounced rise anticipated in the final week of June.
Separately, the IMD has flagged the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance likely to bring light to moderate rainfall over the Western Himalayan region between 18 and 22 June. Isolated showers and thunderstorm activity are also expected over parts of northwest India during the same window — a pattern that could sustain cooler conditions in Delhi beyond the immediate forecast period.
Air Quality: Moderate but Improving
Delhi's air quality index remained in the 'moderate' category on Wednesday, with several monitoring stations recording readings in the satisfactory range following recent rainfall and stronger surface winds. Station-wise AQI readings: Anand Vihar (155), Ashok Vihar (83), Bawana (85), Burari Crossing (73), Chandni Chowk (92), DTU (56), Dwarka-Sector 8 (101), IIT Delhi (102), ITO (70), JNU (58), Narela (87), North Campus (77), Pusa (128), RK Puram (79), Sonia Vihar (82), Wazirpur (110).
Anand Vihar and Pusa recorded the highest readings, though both remain within the moderate band. The overall improvement reflects the cleansing effect of recent precipitation on particulate matter.
What to Expect Next
With thunderstorm activity forecast through 21 June and a Western Disturbance adding moisture from the northwest, Delhiites can expect continued relief from peak summer heat for at least the next four to five days. The more significant test will come in the final week of June, when temperatures are expected to climb again as the disturbance moves east and dry, hot conditions reassert themselves.
Point of View
But it masks a structural pattern: the capital swings between heatwave alerts and flood warnings with little in between, and each swing strains infrastructure that was not designed for climate volatility. The 'moderate' AQI headline is also somewhat misleading — Anand Vihar at 155 sits at the upper edge of moderate, and a single dry, windless day can push it back into poor territory. The IMD's thunderstorm extension to 21 June offers comfort, but the forecast of a sharp temperature rebound in the final week of June is the number that urban planners and public health officials should be watching, not the current lull.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather forecast for Delhi on 17 June 2025?
The IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies with light rain, thunderstorms, and isolated lightning for Delhi on 17 June. The maximum temperature is expected between 33°C and 35°C, and the minimum between 26°C and 28°C — both below seasonal averages.
Why is Delhi experiencing cooler temperatures in mid-June?
A spell of rain and gusty winds on Tuesday, 16 June, broke the heatwave-like conditions that had persisted for several days. Residual atmospheric moisture is keeping temperatures suppressed, with the IMD forecasting thunderstorm activity until 21 June.
How long will the cool weather last in Delhi-NCR?
The IMD expects thunderstorm activity and below-normal temperatures to continue until 21 June. A gradual rise in temperatures is forecast after that date, with a more pronounced increase expected in the final week of June.
What is Delhi's air quality index today?
Delhi's air quality remained in the 'moderate' category on 17 June. Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 155, while stations such as DTU (56) and JNU (58) were in the satisfactory range. Recent rainfall and stronger winds have improved overall air quality.
What is the Western Disturbance forecast for northwest India?
The IMD has predicted that a fresh Western Disturbance will bring light to moderate rainfall over the Western Himalayan region between 18 and 22 June. Isolated showers and thunderstorm activity are also expected over parts of northwest India during the same period.
