Delhi-NCR weather: Cooler October after rain, temps at 20-26°C on Friday
Synopsis
A mid-October rain spell has pushed Delhi's maximum temperature nearly five degrees below normal — to 28.3°C at Safdarjung — and is keeping Friday's forecast mild at 20-26°C across most of the NCR. AQI dropped to 149, but waterlogging hit multiple underpasses and flyovers, a recurring reminder that Delhi's drainage hasn't kept pace with its weather extremes.
Key Takeaways
Delhi is forecast to see temperatures between 20°C and 26°C on Friday, 16 October 2026 , following Thursday's rain.
Safdarjung recorded 15.9 mm of rainfall on Thursday; Ridge recorded the highest at 25.2 mm .
Thursday's maximum temperature at Safdarjung was 28.3°C — nearly five degrees below normal .
Faridabad is the exception, forecast to remain warmer at 22–32°C .
Delhi's AQI improved to 149 (moderate) on Thursday, down from 181 on Wednesday.
Waterlogging was reported at Zakhira , Ashram , Inderlok-Azad Market underpasses, Lajpat Nagar flyover , and Munirka .
A sharp spell of rainfall on Thursday, 16 October 2026 has ushered in noticeably cooler weather across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), with temperatures forecast to remain mild through Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed significant rain activity at multiple stations, marking one of the more abrupt mid-October temperature drops in recent years.
City-by-City Forecast for Friday
Delhi is expected to record a minimum of 20°C and a maximum of 26°C, with light winds of around 6 kmph. The reduced intensity of midday sun has made outdoor conditions noticeably comfortable, with many residents reportedly forgoing fans even during daytime hours.
Noida mirrors Delhi's forecast, with temperatures ranging between 20°C and 26°C and winds blowing at approximately 6 kmph. Gurugram will see similar conditions — mercury between 20°C and 26°C — though winds are slightly stronger at around 10 kmph. Ghaziabad is forecast to be marginally cooler at the lower end, with a minimum of 19°C and a maximum of 26°C, and winds near 5 kmph.
The outlier is Faridabad, which is expected to remain comparatively warmer, with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 32°C and winds around 5 kmph.
Thursday's Rainfall: How Much Fell Where
According to the IMD, Safdarjung — Delhi's primary reference weather station — recorded 15.9 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Thursday. Lodhi Road received 20 mm, Ridge logged 25.2 mm, Palam registered 11.2 mm, and Ayanagar recorded 7.2 mm during the same period.
The maximum temperature at Safdarjung settled at 28.3°C on Thursday — nearly five degrees below normal and six degrees lower than Wednesday's reading, a drop that underscores the intensity of the weather shift.
Waterlogging and Traffic Disruption
The rainfall, while welcome for air quality and temperatures, triggered waterlogging and traffic congestion at several points across the capital. According to officials, affected locations included the Zakhira underpass, the Ashram underpass, the underpass connecting Inderlok and Azad Market, the Lajpat Nagar flyover, and Munirka. This is a recurring pattern — Delhi's drainage infrastructure has historically struggled to handle sudden intense rainfall, even outside the core monsoon season.
Air Quality Improves After Rain
The rain brought a measurable improvement to Delhi's air quality. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 149 on Thursday, placing it in the moderate category, down from 181 on Wednesday. Earlier in the week, the AQI had briefly touched 83 — in the satisfactory category — on Monday, before worsening mid-week. As the city moves deeper into October, air quality typically deteriorates with the onset of stubble burning season, making this temporary respite significant but likely short-lived.
With mild temperatures expected to persist through the weekend, Delhi-NCR residents can expect an unusually comfortable mid-October, though authorities are likely to monitor drainage and air quality closely as conditions evolve.
Point of View
But the five-degree drop below normal at Safdarjung is a meaningful data point in a city that has seen its pre-winter cool season compress in recent years. The waterlogging at multiple underpasses and flyovers is the more telling story — it surfaces every monsoon and every unseasonal downpour, yet the drainage deficit persists. The brief AQI respite is welcome but almost certainly temporary: stubble burning across Punjab and Haryana typically drives Delhi's air quality into the 'poor' and 'very poor' bands through October and November, making this week's 149 a fleeting reprieve rather than a trend.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather forecast for Delhi on Friday, 16 October 2026?
Delhi is forecast to record a minimum of 20°C and a maximum of 26°C on Friday, with light winds of around 6 kmph. The cooler conditions follow significant rainfall on Thursday, which pushed temperatures well below the seasonal normal.
How much rainfall did Delhi receive on Thursday?
According to the IMD, Safdarjung received 15.9 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Thursday. Ridge recorded the highest amount at 25.2 mm, while Lodhi Road got 20 mm, Palam 11.2 mm, and Ayanagar 7.2 mm.
Which areas in Delhi were affected by waterlogging?
Waterlogging and traffic disruption were reported at the Zakhira underpass, Ashram underpass, the Inderlok-Azad Market underpass, the Lajpat Nagar flyover, and Munirka. Officials confirmed these locations were among the worst affected.
What is Delhi's air quality index after the rain?
Delhi's AQI improved to 149 on Thursday, placing it in the moderate category, down from 181 on Wednesday. The city had briefly touched an AQI of 83 — satisfactory — on Monday before deteriorating mid-week.
How does Faridabad's forecast differ from other NCR cities?
Unlike Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad — all forecast at 20-26°C — Faridabad is expected to remain warmer, with a minimum of 22°C and a maximum of 32°C on Friday, with winds around 5 kmph.
