Residents in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) finally received respite from heat as heavy downpours battered the national capital on Thursday, coupled with thunderstorms and gusty winds. Following the sudden change in the weather, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a two-day yellow alert, warning of rains and thunderstorm activity for the period.

Dark clouds enveloped Delhi and neighbouring states during the noon, while several localities from Noida and Gurugram witnessed strong winds and showers. The mercury dipped suddenly and offered respite from scorching temperatures that had gripped the region over the past week.

Delhi-NCR’s weather details for upcoming two days

According to the weather body, Delhi is expected to see a partly cloudy sky accompanied by one or two spells of rain or thundershowers until June 6. The IMD has forecast light rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning activity during the noon and evening hours, with wind likely to blow at a speed of 40 to 50 kmph. During the night, very light to light rainfall is expected in several areas, accompanied by thunder and lightning.

For Friday, meteorologists have predicted generally cloudy conditions with intermittent downpours. Strong winds ranging between 40 and 50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph in isolated areas, are also on the cards during the morning and forenoon hours.

Despite the wet weather, daytime temperatures are likely to hover between 39°C and 41°C, while minimum temperatures may range between 25°C and 27°C.

Southwest monsoon arrives early in Kerala

The weather’s u-turn in Delhi coincides with a significant milestone for the country, as the southwest monsoon officially arrived over Kerala on Thursday, three days earlier than its normal inset date of June 1. The IMD had predicted on May 15 that the monsoon would likely reach Kerala around May 26, with a model error margin of four days. Although the onset unfolded later than that prediction, it still arrived ahead of its climatological schedule. Several districts in Kerala were battered by intense rainfall overnight and into Thursday morning, prompting the IMD to sound an orange alert for Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.

Traditionally, the southwest monsoon advances into Karnataka, Goa and parts of northeastern India from Kerala during early June before spreading across central and eastern regions later in the month.

Notably, the monsoon usually reaches Delhi around June 27 and covers most parts of northwestern India, including states such as Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana, by the end of June or early July. Kicking off on an early note in Kerala this year, weather experts will closely monitor whether its progress across the country remains on schedule.