Delhi Weather: National Capital Braces for More Rain, Thunderstorms and Gusty Winds as March Turns Wettest Since 2023

Yugcharan News / 19-09-2026

Delhi is set for another spell of rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds as unsettled weather continues over the national capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the city, forecasting light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds.

The latest spell of wet weather has brought a noticeable drop in temperatures across Delhi, with persistent cloud cover and intermittent rain pushing the maximum temperature down by nearly six degrees Celsius. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 26.8 degrees Celsius, making it the lowest maximum temperature recorded so far this month.

The weather system has also brought some improvement in Delhi’s air quality, with rainfall and strong winds helping disperse pollutants. The city’s air quality moved into the moderate category after remaining in the poor category a day earlier.

IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Delhi

According to the IMD’s local weather bulletin, Delhi can expect light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of around 30-40 kmph.

The weather department has advised residents to remain alert and keep themselves updated as thunderstorms and strong winds may affect normal activities in parts of the city.

Earlier forecasts had indicated that Delhi, Noida, Dadri and Greater Noida could experience thunderstorms, lightning, moderate rainfall and stronger gusts of around 40-50 kmph.

The combination of rain and strong winds may result in waterlogging on some roads, slower traffic movement and disruption to outdoor activities, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.

Why Is Delhi Receiving Rain in March?

Meteorologists have linked the unusual weather conditions to an active western disturbance and an associated cyclonic circulation.

According to Mahesh Palawat of Skymet, the western disturbance is positioned over North Pakistan and adjoining areas of Jammu and Kashmir. This weather system has contributed to rainfall across the western Himalayan region.

At the same time, an induced cyclonic circulation over Haryana is contributing to rainfall over Delhi as well as parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

Palawat said earlier forecasts had suggested stronger rainfall activity, but the weather system is now moving towards eastern parts of the country. As a result, conditions across Delhi and neighbouring areas are expected to remain broadly similar to the current pattern.

The current spell is also significant because pre-monsoon activity appears to have arrived earlier than usual.

Pre-Monsoon Activity Arrives Earlier

Pre-monsoon weather activity generally becomes more prominent towards the end of March. However, meteorologists have indicated that this year’s pattern has advanced.

One factor behind the early change was the unusually high temperatures recorded during the first 10 days of March. The relatively intense western disturbance that followed contributed to a shift towards rain and thunderstorms earlier than normally expected.

The contrast has been particularly noticeable in Delhi, where temperatures were considerably higher earlier in the month before the current cloud cover and rainfall brought a sharp decline.

The change in weather has provided relief from the warmer conditions but has also created a need for caution because thunderstorms and gusty winds can affect traffic, outdoor movement and local infrastructure.

March Records Highest Rainfall Since 2023

The continuing rainfall has also made March 2026 the wettest March in Delhi in three years, according to the rainfall figures cited in the report.

At Safdarjung, Delhi’s primary weather station, 9.4 mm of rainfall had been recorded up to March 19, compared with the normal monthly average of 12.6 mm.

The last March to record substantially higher rainfall was in 2023, when the capital received 50.4 mm of rain during the month.

Rainfall was recorded across several parts of Delhi during the latest spell. The figures reported from different locations included 8.2 mm at Safdarjung, 6.2 mm at Palam, 8.2 mm at Lodhi Road, 8.6 mm at Ridge and 7.2 mm at Ayanagar.

Pitampura recorded 5.5 mm, Pusa received 11 mm, Mayur Vihar recorded 3 mm and Janakpuri recorded 12.5 mm.

The distribution shows that rainfall varied considerably across different parts of the national capital.

Temperatures Drop Sharply

The persistent cloud cover and rainfall have had a direct impact on Delhi’s daytime temperatures.

The maximum temperature settled at 26.8 degrees Celsius, nearly six degrees lower than the levels seen during warmer periods earlier in the month. It was also the lowest maximum temperature recorded in the capital so far this March.

At Safdarjung and Lodhi Road, the maximum temperature was recorded at 26.8 degrees Celsius. These readings were around 4.5 degrees and 3.2 degrees below their respective normal levels.

The fall in temperature has brought noticeably cooler conditions during the daytime, particularly when compared with the unusually warm weather experienced during the first part of March.

Rain Helps Improve Delhi Air Quality

The rain and strong winds have also contributed to an improvement in Delhi’s air quality.

The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 137, placing it in the moderate category. This represented an improvement from the poor category recorded on the previous day.

Rainfall can temporarily reduce airborne pollutants by removing some particulate matter from the atmosphere, while stronger winds can help disperse pollutants.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as good, 51 to 100 as satisfactory, 101 to 200 as moderate, 201 to 300 as poor, 301 to 400 as very poor and 401 to 500 as severe.

With Delhi’s AQI at 137, the city remains in the moderate range despite the recent improvement.

More Thunderstorms and Rain Expected

The IMD forecast suggests that unsettled weather conditions will continue, with the possibility of additional rain and thunderstorms across Delhi and neighbouring areas.

Residents are likely to experience cloudy skies along with periods of light to moderate rainfall. Gusty winds associated with thunderstorms could temporarily intensify weather conditions in some locations.

The weather may also affect road traffic, particularly during periods of heavy rain. Motorists and pedestrians may face reduced visibility and water accumulation on some roads.

Authorities and residents are therefore expected to remain alert to local weather warnings, especially when thunderstorms and lightning are forecast.

Weather System Moving Eastward

The weather system responsible for the current spell is gradually moving towards the eastern parts of the country. However, meteorologists expect Delhi and surrounding regions to continue experiencing similar conditions in the immediate period as the associated atmospheric systems influence the region.

The early arrival of pre-monsoon activity is another notable feature of this year’s March weather. The combination of an active western disturbance, the induced circulation over Haryana and the unusually high temperatures recorded earlier in the month has contributed to the rapid shift from hot and dry conditions to cooler, rainy weather.

For Delhi residents, the latest spell has brought both relief from the heat and the possibility of disruptions caused by thunderstorms and gusty winds. With the IMD maintaining a yellow alert, residents are advised to monitor updated forecasts as the weather system continues to affect the national capital and adjoining areas.