Good news for Delhi: Weatherman predicts thundershowers today and tomorrow

Tuesday began with partly cloudy sky and it is expected to rain by nightfall, with a possibility of a thundershower.

Delhi is likely to get some respite from the heat as the meteorological department predicted thundershowers on Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Northern India has been reeling under a heat wave for the past few days, with mercury levels hitting 44.6 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days (Arun Sharma/HT Photo)

The city has been reeling under a heat wave for several days now, with mercury levels touching 44.6 degrees Celsius for the second day in a row on Monday – the highest temperature this season. It was nearly four notches above normal for this time of the year.

The minimum temperature on Monday, however, was 33.6 degrees Celsius, which is six notches above normal, and much more than Sunday’s 30.4 degrees Celsius.

“This rise in temperature is because of a heat wave over north India. An anti-cyclone is established over northwest India resulting in a heat wave. This will gradually move eastwards and weaken under the influence of a fresh western disturbance,” a MeT official said, adding that the heat wave spell is likely to be short-lived and relief is in sight from Tuesday.

On the night of June 6, a dust storm has been predicted while rain and thundershowers are expected on June 7 and 8 along with squally winds.

On Tuesday, partly cloudy sky is expected with possibility of rain and thundershower. “The maximum and minimum temperature will be around 43 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius, respectively,” the MeT official said.

“The dust storm and thunderstorm from Tuesday night will curb the heat wave. It will bring down the temperature a little bit for a couple of days and provide a bit of relief from the heat,” he said.

The previous highest at Safdarjung, recording of which is considered official for the city, was on May 15 with the temperature reaching 44.4 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature recorded at Safdarjung in 2016 was 44 degrees Celsius on May 3, while it touched 45.5 degrees on May 26 in 2015.