Why Did the Weather in Delhi Take a U-Turn? Mercury Drops by Up to 10°C in Just One Hour—Signs of Climate Imbalance

The weather in the national capital, Delhi, has taken a sudden turn, catching residents by surprise. Accompanied by strong winds, cloud cover, and rain, the temperature plummeted by nearly 10 degrees Celsius within the span of just one hour.

This rapid shift in weather patterns is not considered normal, and a “rare” Western Disturbance is being cited as the primary cause behind it.

According to weather experts, the Western Disturbance currently active is distinct in terms of both its structure and impact. Its trough (a line of low pressure) extends over a vast distance, resulting in the sudden and intense weather changes observed.

Pointing Towards Climate Imbalance

While Delhi residents had to contend with intense heat and humidity until the afternoon, the weather underwent a complete transformation by evening. In several areas, strong winds caused trees to sway precariously, and traffic movement was also disrupted.

Experts suggest that such abrupt weather shifts also serve as indicators of a growing climate imbalance. Weather fluctuations are likely to persist in the coming days, necessitating vigilance on the part of the public.

Meanwhile, Mahesh Palawat, Vice President (Meteorology and Climate Change) at Skymet Weather, stated, “The Western Disturbance is currently positioned over northern Pakistan and the adjoining region of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the reason why heavy rainfall is occurring across the Western Himalayan regions.”

Unusual Heat During the First Half of March

He added, “Concurrently, the formation of a cyclonic circulation over Haryana has triggered rainfall across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.” He noted that while earlier forecasts had predicted the possibility of heavier rainfall, the weather system is now shifting towards the eastern parts of the country.

Consequently, the prevailing weather conditions are expected to remain largely unchanged. Palawat further remarked, “Pre-monsoon activity has commenced earlier than usual. Typically, this phase begins towards the end of March; however, it has started early this year because unusually high temperatures were recorded during the first 10 days of March.”

Clouds Pouring Down

At Delhi’s base station, Safdarjung, an average rainfall of 9.4 mm was recorded up to Thursday, March 19, whereas the normal monthly average stands at 12.6 mm. The last time rainfall in March exceeded this level was in 2023, when the total monthly precipitation reached 50.4 mm—a figure that underscores the intensity of the current rainfall.