New Delhi – The India Meteorological Department has issued a Delhi weather alert for Friday, predicting light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across the national capital. This development comes as Delhi experiences a temporary reprieve from winter chill, with Thursday recording the warmest January day in seven years at 27.1 degrees Celsius.
Yellow Alert Details in Delhi Weather Alert
The Delhi weather alert includes a yellow warning for Friday, with the IMD forecasting that skies over Delhi-NCR will remain generally cloudy throughout the day. According to the bulletin, residents can expect “very light to light rain accompanied with thunderstorm/lightning and gusty winds (speed 30-40 kmph). Shallow to moderate fog during morning hours.”
IMD officials elaborated on the Delhi weather alert, stating that one or two spells of light rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of speed 30-40 kmph are likely to occur during the early to forenoon hours on Friday. Another spell of very light to light rain is expected towards the afternoon and evening hours.
Western Disturbance Behind Delhi Weather Alert
The Delhi weather alert has been issued due to an active western disturbance affecting the region. This weather system is likely to cause multiple spells of light to moderate continuous rainfall throughout Friday, according to meteorological officials. The western disturbance represents a significant weather pattern that brings moisture-laden winds to northern India.
Furthermore, the IMD has predicted the influence of another consecutive western disturbance over northwest India from January 26 to 28. This subsequent weather system is likely to lead to an increase in minimum temperatures across the region, extending the impact of the current Delhi weather alert period.
Expected Wind Conditions in Delhi Weather Alert
A crucial component of the Delhi weather alert involves significantly increased wind speeds anticipated for Friday. These enhanced wind speeds are expected to play a vital role in dispersing pollutants accumulated in the atmosphere, potentially leading to further improvement in the national capital’s air quality.
The gusty winds predicted in the Delhi weather alert, with speeds reaching 30-40 kmph, will provide much-needed ventilation to the city’s atmosphere. This natural dispersion mechanism could prove beneficial for residents who have been grappling with poor air quality throughout the winter season.
Air Quality Shows Marginal Improvement
Coinciding with the Delhi weather alert, the capital’s air quality has shown marginal improvement. Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 313 (very poor) at 8am on Thursday, compared to 330 (very poor) recorded at 4pm on Wednesday. The enhanced wind speeds predicted in the Delhi weather alert are expected to further improve these conditions.
The uptick in air quality, combined with favorable meteorological conditions indicated in the Delhi weather alert, prompted the sub-committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to revoke Stage III curbs across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect on Thursday, January 22.
GRAP Stage III Restrictions Revoked
The panel observed that Delhi’s AQI has been improving owing to favourable meteorological conditions and recorded 322 on Thursday. The forecast by IMD/IITM, which forms the basis of the Delhi weather alert, indicates that AQI is likely to remain in the “moderate” to “poor” category in coming days.
Keeping in view the disruptive nature of restrictions under Stage-III of the extant GRAP impacting a large number of stakeholders and the public, the CAQM Sub-Committee unanimously decided to revoke all actions under Stage-III of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect.
Broader Regional Impact of Delhi Weather Alert
The Delhi weather alert is part of a larger weather pattern affecting northern India. The IMD has predicted severe weather conditions with heavy rain, hailstorm, and thunderstorms (with gusty winds) over parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab.
Additionally, hailstorm and thunderstorms are predicted in parts of Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, indicating that the weather system triggering the Delhi weather alert has widespread implications across the northwestern region of the country.
Temperature Trends and Winter Retreat
The Delhi weather alert comes against the backdrop of easing winter chill over the past few days. Thursday’s maximum temperature of 27.1 degrees Celsius marked the warmest January day in seven years, suggesting a gradual retreat of winter conditions in the national capital.
This warming trend, combined with the rainfall predicted in the Delhi weather alert, indicates a transitional weather phase. The consecutive western disturbances forecast from January 26 to 28 are expected to further influence temperature patterns, with predictions of increased minimum temperatures.
Precautionary Measures for Residents
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions in response to the Delhi weather alert. The combination of rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds requires vigilance, particularly during outdoor activities. Morning fog conditions mentioned in the Delhi weather alert may also impact visibility for commuters.
The improved air quality resulting from increased wind speeds provides a positive aspect to the weather changes. However, residents should remain updated on the evolving weather situation as the western disturbance continues to influence conditions across the region throughout the coming days.
