The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very light to light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of up to 60 kmph over Delhi-NCR on June 11 and 12, following a weekend spell of showers that brought temporary relief from intense heat and humidity. The agency expects maximum temperatures to ease to around 35–37 degrees Celsius by June 12.

Weekend Showers Bring Brief Relief

Rain lashed several parts of Delhi-NCR on Sunday, June 8, with visuals from areas near Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport showing heavy downpours sweeping across nearby localities. Cloudy skies and cooler winds accompanied the showers, improving outdoor conditions across the capital.

The relief, however, was preceded by a punishing Saturday. The maximum temperature in Delhi on Saturday, June 7, touched 40 degrees Celsius — close to normal for this time of year — after recording 35.8 degrees Celsius the previous day. The heat index, or 'feels-like' temperature, climbed to 44.8 degrees Celsius at 2:30 pm IST on Saturday, reflecting the compounding effect of high humidity.

What IMD Has Forecast

Earlier, the IMD had projected that maximum temperatures would hover around 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday before potentially rising to 42 degrees Celsius by Tuesday. The incoming rain spell on June 11 and 12 is expected to check that climb, pulling the mercury back into the 35–37 degrees Celsius range.

Notably, this is part of a broader pattern of pre-monsoon thunderstorm activity that typically intensifies over the Indo-Gangetic Plain in early June as the southwest monsoon advances northward.

Monsoon Advancement: Delhi's Wait Continues

The southwest monsoon officially entered Kerala on June 4, marking the start of India's critical rainy season — slightly later than the historical average. Meteorologists say conditions have since become favourable for its gradual northward progression across southern and central parts of the country.

The monsoon is currently advancing steadily through southern and western India, with coverage expected to extend across Maharashtra, central India, and parts of the Gangetic plains before reaching the northern belt. Based on current movement patterns, Delhi is expected to receive the monsoon during the last week of June, likely between June 25 and June 30, depending on rainfall intensity and wind conditions over central India.

Experts say the pace of advancement over the next 10 to 15 days will be decisive in determining whether the capital sees an early or slightly delayed onset. Until then, residents are likely to experience intermittent pre-monsoon spells rather than sustained rainfall.

Air Quality Remains 'Very Poor'

Despite the weekend showers, Delhi's air quality remained firmly in the 'very poor' category, with the overall AQI standing at 360. Station-wise readings on June 8 showed Wazirpur at 198, Rohini at 174, IIT Delhi at 172, Pusa at 169, Sonia Vihar at 166, Narela at 160, Okhla Phase-2 at 162, Mundka at 154, Ashok Vihar at 147, R K Puram at 142, Bawana at 142, JNU at 134, DTU at 124, and Chandni Chowk at 120.

This comes amid a persistent air quality challenge in the capital, where AQI levels in the 'very poor' range (301–400) are associated with respiratory discomfort for most people and serious health risks for sensitive groups. Rain, while it temporarily suppresses particulate matter, has not been sufficient to drive a sustained improvement.

What to Watch

The arrival of the southwest monsoon in Delhi — anticipated between June 25 and June 30 — is expected to deliver more sustained air quality relief, as prolonged rainfall typically washes out pollutants more effectively than isolated pre-monsoon showers. Until then, residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, are advised to monitor daily AQI updates.