Residents across Delhi NCR woke up on Friday to light rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. The unexpected change in weather brought back a mild winter-like chill to the national capital.

This comes after a short period when temperatures had started rising ahead of the summer season.

A JUSZNEWS reporter reporting from Delhi showed the pleasant weather in the city.

Wettest March in three years

The recent rainfall has made this month the wettest March in the past three years. So far, the city has recorded an average rainfall of 9.4 mm. According to Press Trust of India, the last time March saw higher rainfall was in 2023, when it reached 50.4 mm.

Rain, thunderstorms and strong winds expected

The weather department has predicted light to moderate rainfall through Friday. Thunderstorms, lightning, and winds blowing at speeds of 30 to 40 kmph are also expected.

The minimum temperature dropped to 18°C. A day earlier, the temperature had fallen below 30°C for the first time in nearly a month, settling at 26.8°C on Thursday, as per the India Meteorological Department.

Yellow alert issued for Delhi

The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Friday. It has warned of more rain and a further dip in temperatures, which may stay between 23°C and 25°C.

“Generally cloudy skies, with a spell of very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorm/lightning and strong surface winds of 30-40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph, are likely in the morning,” the IMD said.

It added, “One or two spells of light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorm/lightning and strong surface winds of 30-40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph, are likely from forenoon to evening.”

Temperatures likely to rise again soon

According to the IMD’s seven-day forecast, temperatures are expected to increase gradually after Friday. The maximum temperature may reach between 32°C and 34°C by March 25.

Why is Delhi seeing rain now?

Experts say the sudden weather change is due to an active western disturbance over northwest India. This system became stronger on Wednesday and has triggered rainfall across North India.

A climate expert, Dr Pradeep, described the system as unusual in a post on X. “An unusual Western Disturbance has reached North India. Its structure is quite different. A trough is situated in a straight line spanning thousands of kilometres, which is generally very rare. It has the capacity to create very strong thunderstorms and thunderclouds, so be cautious and follow IMD.”

Relief from rising heat

The rainfall has brought relief from the unusually high temperatures seen earlier this month. On March 11, the city recorded a maximum of 36.8°C, which was eight degrees above normal.

Delhi had already crossed 35°C by March 7 — the earliest such rise in at least 15 years.