Delhi-NCR rain and thunderstorms forecast Saturday; monsoon to revive across India
Synopsis
After weeks of punishing heat, Delhi-NCR is finally in line for rain and thunderstorms this Saturday — but the bigger story is the IMD flagging a southwest monsoon revival across Central India after nearly two weeks of below-normal progress. With 19 states on weather alert and heavy rain warnings for West Bengal and Sikkim, the pattern shift is nationwide.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, and winds up to 60 kmph in Delhi-NCR on Saturday, 21 June .
Delhi's maximum temperature is expected between 37 and 39°C ; minimum between 25 and 27°C .
A western disturbance and favourable local systems are driving the pre-monsoon activity.
The southwest monsoon is forecast to revive after nearly two weeks of slow progress and below-normal rainfall.
Weather alerts have been issued for 19 states ; Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim face heavy rain over the next 8 to 48 hours .
Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI in Delhi at 223 , with multiple stations in the poor category.
Residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are set to receive relief from prolonged summer heat as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across the region on Saturday, 21 June. The forecast follows weeks of intense heat that has kept temperatures well above seasonal comfort levels.
What Delhi Can Expect
The weather office has indicated partly cloudy skies through the day, with rain and thundershower activity picking up during the afternoon and evening. Wind speeds are expected to range between 40 and 50 kmph, with gusts touching up to 60 kmph in isolated pockets.
Daytime temperatures are likely to remain between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius, with the minimum hovering between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius. While no sharp drop in maximum temperatures is anticipated in the immediate 24 hours, the increased cloud cover and moisture-laden winds are expected to make conditions comparatively more bearable. Intermittent showers and occasional thunderstorms are forecast to continue through Sunday.
What Is Driving the Weather Shift
Meteorologists have attributed the changing conditions to the combined influence of a western disturbance and favourable local weather systems. These factors are supporting pre-monsoon rainfall and thunderstorm activity across Delhi-NCR, consistent with patterns typically seen in the third week of June ahead of the monsoon's arrival in the capital.
Monsoon Revival Expected Across India
Beyond Delhi, the IMD's latest assessment points to a gradual revival of the southwest monsoon after nearly two weeks of sluggish advancement and below-normal rainfall across several parts of the country. Rain-bearing systems are expected to strengthen over Central India in the coming days, improving coverage in regions that have seen delayed or deficient monsoon activity.
The department has issued weather alerts for 19 states, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds over the next several hours, with wind speeds potentially reaching 50 to 70 kmph in some areas. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim have been placed under a heavy rainfall warning for the next 8 to 48 hours, raising concerns about waterlogging and localised disruptions.
Air Quality Remains a Concern
Despite the anticipated weather improvement, Delhi's air quality continued to remain in the poor category at multiple monitoring stations, according to official data. Anand Vihar recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 223, while IIT Delhi logged 203. Other elevated readings included Pusa (194), Wazirpur (190), Dwarka Sector-8 (178), Vivek Vihar (161), Ashok Vihar (156), Sonia Vihar (146), Nehru Nagar (144), Bawana (143), Chandni Chowk (135), JNU (133), and DTU (124).
Sustained rainfall in the coming days could help settle particulate matter and ease AQI levels, though the improvement may be gradual. The IMD's monsoon revival forecast will be closely watched by both urban planners and farmers across rain-deficient regions.
Point of View
And a delayed monsoon carries direct consequences for food prices and rural incomes. The 19-state alert is unusually broad for a single forecast window, suggesting the weather system is significant — but the real test is whether the revival translates into sustained, widespread rainfall rather than isolated thunderstorm bursts that ease urban heat without replenishing reservoirs or soil moisture.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it rain in Delhi-NCR this weekend?
Yes, the IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in Delhi-NCR on Saturday, 21 June, with showers likely to continue intermittently through Sunday. Wind speeds could reach up to 60 kmph in some areas.
What temperatures are expected in Delhi during the rain?
Delhi's maximum temperature is likely to remain between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is expected to hover between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius. No sharp drop in daytime temperatures is forecast in the immediate 24-hour period, though cloud cover will make conditions more comfortable.
Is the southwest monsoon expected to revive soon?
Yes, the IMD expects the southwest monsoon to gradually revive after nearly two weeks of slow advancement and below-normal rainfall. Rain-bearing systems are forecast to strengthen over Central India in the coming days, improving coverage in rain-deficient regions.
Which states are under a weather alert?
The IMD has issued weather alerts for 19 states, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim face a specific heavy rainfall warning valid for the next 8 to 48 hours, with concerns about waterlogging and localised disruptions.
What is Delhi's current air quality despite the forecast rain?
Delhi's air quality remains in the poor category at several monitoring stations. Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 223, followed by IIT Delhi at 203. Sustained rainfall may help improve AQI levels gradually, though significant improvement could take time.
