Residents of the national capital woke up to light rain Wednesday morning. The change follows Delhi’s hottest day of the year so far. The maximum temperature touched 30.9 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for the city. While the showers brought temporary relief from the unseasonal heat, air quality remained a major concern. The Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 228 at 8:00 a.m., maintaining its position in the “poor” category. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed that pollution remains elevated in several pockets.
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Western Disturbance Breaks Heat Spell
A fresh Western Disturbance (WD) influenced the sudden weather shift Wednesday. This system brought cloudy skies and a dip in temperatures. The IMD predicted very light rainfall throughout the day accompanied by gusty winds. These winds are expected to reach speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour.
Meanwhile, the city has witnessed unusual warmth for mid-February. Monday and Tuesday both recorded temperatures nearly seven degrees above the seasonal average. On Tuesday, the mercury reached 30.9 degrees Celsius, marking the earliest 30-degree reading in five years. “The current system will provide a temporary cooling effect,” a weather official said Wednesday.
Localized Pollution Peaks Across Delhi
Despite the rain, the AQI remains trapped in the poor bracket. Data showed that Wazirpur recorded the highest pollution level at 336. Other areas like Mundka and Rohini also reported AQIs above 300, placing them in the “very poor” sub-category.
In fact, stagnant warm air earlier this week trapped pollutants near the surface. The rain has not yet been heavy enough to wash away particulate matter significantly. Specific pockets like Anand Vihar (285) and Chandni Chowk (286) continue to struggle with high PM2.5 levels. Still, the gusty winds expected this afternoon may help disperse some surface-level smog.
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Regional Impact and IMD Yellow Alert
The weather system influencing Delhi is impacting several neighboring states. Scattered showers are expected to extend into parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The IMD reported that drizzle is likely in cities like Noida and Gurugram today.
Noida is expected to see a maximum temperature of 26 degrees Celsius. Gurugram remains under a similar forecast with one or two spells of rain possible. Next, the IMD warned of potential lightning and thunderstorms at isolated places during the forenoon. Thus, residents in open areas are advised to take necessary precautions.
Reality Check
The IMD calls the rain a “relief” from the heatwave-like conditions. Still, experts suggest the cooling will be short-lived. History shows that weak Western Disturbances often lead to a rapid temperature rebound once the system passes. Therefore, the mercury could touch 30 degrees Celsius again by Sunday. In fact, 2026 is currently tracking as one of the warmest Februarys on record.
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The Loopholes
The CPCB reports an average AQI of 228 for the city. In fact, this average masks the “severe” air quality in industrial hubs like Wazirpur. Therefore, the “poor” label may be misleading for residents in north and west Delhi. Furthermore, the 30-40 kmph wind speed is only a “gust” forecast. Still, surface wind speeds remain low in residential colonies, preventing the actual clearing of toxic air.
What This Means for You
If you have respiratory issues, do not be fooled by the cloudy skies. First, check your local AQI before stepping out for a morning walk. Then, keep an umbrella handy as multiple spells of drizzle are predicted through the afternoon.
Finally, realize that the sudden shift from 31 degrees to 27 degrees can impact health. Dress in light layers to manage the fluctuating humidity and temperature. Before the weekend arrives, expect the heat to return, so ensure your cooling appliances are serviced and ready.
What’s Next
The rain system is expected to move eastward toward West Uttar Pradesh by Thursday. Then, mainly clear skies will likely return to the Delhi-NCR region by Friday. Finally, the IMD will release a final report on February’s anomalous heat trends by the end of next week.
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