IMD severe heatwave warning for Delhi-NCR: 45°C on May 27, rain from May 29
Synopsis
Delhi-NCR is staring down a 45°C heatwave on May 27, but the IMD's forecast tells a two-act story: a brutal 48-hour heat peak followed by a sharp pre-monsoon break from May 29, with temperatures tumbling nearly 10 degrees in under 48 hours. For millions of residents, the relief — when it arrives — will come with squalls of up to 60 km/h.
Key Takeaways
IMD has issued a severe heatwave warning for Delhi-NCR on 27 and 28 May .
Maximum temperature forecast to touch 45°C on 27 May ; minimum near 28°C .
Thunderstorms with rain and winds of 50–60 km/h expected on 28 May evening.
Sharp temperature drop to 36°C forecast for 29 May as pre-monsoon activity sets in.
Rain and overcast conditions likely to continue through 30–31 May , with temperatures around 35–36°C .
Weather expected to return to near-normal by 1 June with a 37°C maximum.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave warning for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) for 27 and 28 May, with the maximum temperature forecast to touch 45 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and humidity levels ranging between 25 and 40 per cent. Relief is expected from 29 May, when pre-monsoon thunderstorms and rain are anticipated to pull temperatures down sharply.
Heatwave Conditions on May 27–28
On 27 May, the minimum temperature is expected to hover around 28 degrees Celsius, while strong, hot surface winds are likely during afternoon and evening hours. The IMD has explicitly categorised the alert as a 'heatwave' warning — its most direct advisory language — urging residents to avoid stepping outdoors during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and limit direct sun exposure.
On 28 May, the maximum temperature is forecast to ease slightly to around 43 degrees Celsius, with the minimum near 29 degrees Celsius. However, the day is expected to bring thunderstorms with rain during the afternoon and evening, accompanied by strong winds and squalls at speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour.
Sharp Temperature Drop Expected from May 29
A significant weather shift is forecast for 29 May, with the maximum temperature expected to fall sharply to around 36 degrees Celsius and the minimum to 26 degrees Celsius. The IMD has issued a thunderstorm-with-rain alert for the day, forecasting light rainfall alongside winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, with the possibility of lightning and squalls.
Similar conditions — thunderstorms with rain and overcast skies — are expected to persist through 30 and 31 May, with maximum temperatures hovering around 35 and 36 degrees Celsius respectively and minimums between 25 and 26 degrees Celsius. No specific weather warning has been issued for those two days.
Pre-Monsoon Activity Driving the Change
Weather experts noted that the strong winds, dust storms, thunderstorms, and lightning witnessed across North, Central, and East India during the final days of May are consistent with pre-monsoon activity. The rainfall expected around 29 May is being classified as pre-monsoon rain, which typically offers the first substantial heat relief before the southwest monsoon's formal arrival.
Notably, this pattern of a brief but intense late-May heatwave followed by pre-monsoon thunderstorms is a recurring feature of Delhi's weather calendar — though the severity of the 45°C peak places this episode among the more intense recent occurrences.
Outlook for June 1
Conditions are expected to return to near-normal by 1 June, with the maximum temperature forecast at 37 degrees Celsius and the minimum at 27 degrees Celsius. The day is expected to see a partly cloudy sky, with no specific weather warning issued by the IMD.
Point of View
But the IMD's explicit 'severe heatwave' label signals conditions that carry genuine public health risk — particularly for outdoor workers, the elderly, and the urban poor with limited access to cooling. The forecast's silver lining, a pre-monsoon break from May 29, should not obscure the danger of the intervening 48 hours. What warrants scrutiny is the preparedness of city authorities: are cooling centres operational, is the public health advisory reaching vulnerable populations, and are construction-site employers complying with midday work restrictions? The weather will change; the question is whether the city's response infrastructure is ready for the window before it does.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMD heatwave warning for Delhi-NCR?
The India Meteorological Department has issued a severe heatwave warning for Delhi and the NCR for 27 and 28 May, with the maximum temperature expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius on 27 May. Residents have been advised to avoid going outdoors during peak afternoon hours and to stay hydrated.
When will Delhi get relief from the heatwave?
Relief is expected from 29 May, when pre-monsoon thunderstorms and rain are forecast to bring the maximum temperature down sharply to around 36 degrees Celsius. Rain and overcast conditions are likely to continue through 30 and 31 May as well.
What wind speeds are expected during the thunderstorms?
On 28 May, winds and squalls are forecast at speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour. On 29 May, winds are expected at 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, with the possibility of lightning and squalls.
Is the expected rain on May 29 the monsoon arriving in Delhi?
No. Weather experts have classified the rainfall expected around 29 May as pre-monsoon rain, driven by pre-monsoon activity affecting North, Central, and East India during the final days of May. The southwest monsoon's formal arrival in Delhi typically occurs later in June.
What will Delhi's weather be like on June 1?
Conditions are expected to return to near-normal by 1 June, with a maximum temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 27 degrees Celsius. The IMD has not issued any specific weather warning for that day, and partly cloudy skies are forecast.
