The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that Delhi saw its highest temperature of the year on Sunday, reaching 41.1°C, two degrees above average and one degree higher than the day before. Even warmer days are predicted by the IMD, with Tuesday’s high projected to be over 42°C.
But Delhi’s evenings have been colder than usual; on Sunday, the minimum temperature was recorded at 22.7°C, two degrees below average and 0.5 degrees lower than the day before. By Monday, the IMD predicts it will reach about 24°C, and by Tuesday, it will reach roughly 25°C.
On Saturday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 40.3°C, with the previous highest being 40.5°C on April 26. Despite heatwave-like conditions prevailing in other parts of the country, Delhi has yet to officially declare a “heatwave” day this season. The IMD defines a “heatwave” day as one where the maximum temperature exceeds 40°C in the plains and is at least 4.5 degrees above normal.
Delhi’s air quality remained “poor,” with a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 291 at 4 pm on Sunday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. This was slightly higher than the 281 recorded on Saturday.