Cloudy sky, scant rain: Monsoon makes Delhiites wait

The Met department on Thursday said the city has seen a cloud cover for the past three to four days, which has resulted in light to very light rainfall, and cited meteorological conditions — including an anti-cyclonic circulation — to be the cause of such phenomenon.

“Delhi experienced south-easterly winds persistently during these days due to the east-west seasonal trough/convergence line running to the South of Delhi up to 2 km above surface levels. As a result, there was consistent moisture incursion into the city, causing low to medium clouds with scattered light to very light rainfall during the period,” said IMD officials.

The middle- and upper-level wind and circulation patterns have been dominated by an anti-cyclonic circulation over the region. This has inhibited the advance of the monsoon towards Delhi.

A similar pattern has been observed over Southwest Uttar Pradesh and the adjoining region of Haryana and Rajasthan, explained officials.

However, relief is likely soon. IMD officials said, “… this pattern is likely to change during the next three-four days in the region with the movement of the seasonal east-west oriented trough towards the north and the weakening of middle and upper level anti-cyclonic circulation/ridge over the region.”

On Thursday, easterlies prevailed with wind speeds up to 15 kmph over Safdarjung airport. At Palam airport, these blew at 19 kmph gusting up to 30 kmph. Despite a forecast of very light to light rain, no rainfall was logged by the IMD.

The maximum temperature was at 38°C, 2.3 notches below the season’s average. The minimum temperature was 28.6°C, 0.7 notches above the season’s average. Humidity levels were at 85%.

Although rain is forecast for the coming days as per the seven-day forecast, no alert has been issued. The maximum temperature is expected to drop to 33-35°C, while the minimum temperature would be around 25-27°C.

The IMD said the Southwest monsoon has advanced over some more parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab. As per the forecast bulletin, “Conditions are favourable for further advance of the Southwest monsoon over the remaining parts of the country during the next three-four days.”

For Northwest India, it forecasts, “Light to moderate rainfall at most places accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds (speed reaching 30-40 kmph)” between June 26 and July 2.