Delhi-NCR rain and gusty winds forecast till June 4; AQI hits 8-year low
Synopsis
Delhi's brutal May heat has given way to a rare early-June reprieve — IMD forecasts rain and gusty winds through June 4, and the city's AQI has hit its cleanest reading in 230-plus days at 85. More strikingly, CAQM data shows this year's January–May average AQI of 211 is the lowest in eight years, a trend that cuts through the usual smog narrative around the capital.
Key Takeaways
IMD has forecast rain and gusty winds across Delhi-NCR through June 4 , with a yellow alert issued for June 2–3 .
Maximum temperatures expected between 35–38°C on Monday–Tuesday, rising to 37–39°C through Saturday — all below 40°C .
Delhi's AQI dropped to 85 ('satisfactory') on June 1 — the lowest in over 230 days and the best since 8 October .
CAQM confirmed Delhi's average AQI for January–May 2026 was 211 — the lowest in eight years , excluding the Covid-affected 2020 .
Several monitoring stations including JNU (60) and Anand Vihar (63) recorded among the cleanest readings.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rain and gusty winds across Delhi-NCR through June 4, offering residents an extended break from peak summer heat. Daytime temperatures are expected to stay below 40 degrees Celsius through at least June 6, while a sharp improvement in air quality has pushed the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) to its lowest reading in over 230 days.
Weather Forecast and Temperature Outlook
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Monday, June 2 and Tuesday, June 3, warning of light to moderate rainfall and strong winds. No colour-coded warning has been issued for Wednesday or Thursday. Maximum temperatures on Monday and Tuesday are expected to range between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius, rising slightly to 37–39 degrees Celsius from Wednesday through Saturday. Night-time temperatures are forecast to climb gradually, potentially touching 29 degrees Celsius by mid-week.
On Sunday, June 1, Delhi recorded a maximum of 35.8 degrees Celsius — four degrees below the seasonal average — with cloudy skies and cool winds keeping conditions comfortable despite no significant rainfall. The previous day, Saturday, May 30, saw gusty winds and afternoon showers bring further relief, with the maximum settling at 37.1 degrees Celsius, more than three degrees below normal, and the minimum at 24.6 degrees Celsius.
Air Quality Reaches Satisfactory Levels
The weather-driven improvement extended to Delhi's air quality, with rainfall and stronger winds dispersing pollutants to record the cleanest air in the city in over 230 days. The AQI dropped to 85, placing it in the 'satisfactory' category — the lowest reading since 8 October, when the index stood at 80.
Multiple monitoring stations reported satisfactory readings: Anand Vihar logged 63, JNU recorded 60, Burari Crossing 73, DTU 79, Aya Nagar 87, Ashok Vihar 92, IIT Delhi 94, Narela 98, and Dwarka Sector-8 107.
Eight-Year Low for January–May Average AQI
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reported that Delhi recorded its lowest average AQI for the January–May period in eight years, excluding 2020, when Covid-19 restrictions sharply curtailed economic and transport activity. In a post on X, CAQM stated the city's average AQI for the period stood at 211 in 2026.
According to CAQM's post: 'The avg AQI of Delhi for Jan-May during 2026 has been the lowest in 08 years (barring Covid-year 2020) as it recorded 211, as against 214 in 2025, 231 in 2024, 213 in 2023, 238 in 2022, 235 in 2021, 181 in 2020, 237 in 2019 and 243 in 2018, during the corresponding period.'
What to Expect Next
Skies over Delhi are expected to remain partly cloudy on Monday and Tuesday before clearing through Friday. The IMD's forecast suggests the current cool spell will moderate gradually, with temperatures inching upward but remaining manageable through the first week of June. Whether the air quality improvement holds will depend on wind patterns and the frequency of rainfall in the days ahead.
Point of View
But 211 still sits in the 'poor' band for most of the year — the satisfactory reading of 85 is a single-day outlier driven by rain, not structural change. The CAQM data is encouraging, yet the real test is whether the gains persist once the monsoon recedes and stubble-burning season begins in October. Past years have shown that summer improvements routinely unravel by Diwali. Policymakers should resist treating a weather-aided number as a policy victory.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather forecast for Delhi-NCR till June 4?
The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain and gusty winds across Delhi-NCR through June 4, with a yellow alert in place for June 2 and June 3. Daytime temperatures are expected to stay between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius on those days, remaining below 40 degrees Celsius through at least June 6.
What is Delhi's current AQI and why has it improved?
Delhi's AQI dropped to 85 on June 1, placing it in the 'satisfactory' category — the lowest reading in over 230 days. The improvement was driven by rainfall and stronger winds that dispersed pollutants, with the last comparable reading of 80 recorded on 8 October.
What does the CAQM data say about Delhi's air quality in 2026?
According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi's average AQI for January–May 2026 was 211 — the lowest in eight years, excluding 2020, when Covid-19 restrictions significantly reduced emissions. This compares with 214 in 2025, 231 in 2024, and 243 in 2018.
Which areas in Delhi recorded the best air quality on June 1?
Among the monitoring stations, JNU recorded the lowest AQI at 60, followed by Anand Vihar at 63 and Burari Crossing at 73. Dwarka Sector-8 logged the highest reading among the listed stations at 107, still within the satisfactory-to-moderate range.
When will Delhi temperatures start rising again?
According to IMD, maximum temperatures in Delhi are likely to rise gradually from Wednesday, June 4, ranging between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius through Saturday. Night-time temperatures may touch 29 degrees Celsius by mid-week, with skies expected to clear largely by Friday.
