Delhi weather: Rain, 50 kmph winds forecast Monday; temperatures may hit 40°C by October 8

Delhi is likely to receive light to moderate rainfall on Monday, accompanied by strong winds gusting up to 50 kmph during the afternoon, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The minimum temperature is expected to settle at 23°C, while the maximum is likely to reach 30°C, IMD data shared on Monday showed.

Rain brings temporary improvement in Delhi's air quality

Showers in Delhi on Saturday evening and the early hours of Sunday helped improve the city's 24-hour average air quality. The air quality index (AQI) fell to 53 on Sunday, placing it in the “satisfactory” category.

It was the second-lowest AQI reading recorded in the Capital this year, after an AQI of 48 on July 9.

The air quality remained in the “satisfactory” category on Monday, according to data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board.

Dry weather forecast for rest of the week

The weather department said no rainfall is expected in Delhi for the rest of the week. The minimum temperature is likely to remain between 22°C and 23°C, while the maximum is expected to range from 34°C to 35°C.

Weather expert Navdeep Dahiya has forecast a further rise in temperatures towards the end of the week. Between October 3 and 8, Delhi is likely to record temperatures of 37°C to 40°C as westerly winds take over parts of northwest India.

Dahiya said humidity levels are expected to decline, although daytime temperatures are likely to remain marginally high, while nights should remain relatively bearable.

“Dry north west winds will take over, ‘October Heat’ is a thing and it will grip north west India specifically…Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi NCR, West Uttar Pradesh to experience maximum temperatures in the range of 37°C–40°C during October 3-8,” Dahiya said in a post on X.

“The humidity will go down, high day temperatures with sunlight will keep the afternoon hours slightly hot. Nights will be bearable,” he added.