Why this year’s December rain in Delhi is unusual: 101-year-old record broken

December this year has also seen the most amount of rain since 1997 when 71.8 mm of rain was seen in the month.

In the grips of the interaction between an active western disturbance and a cyclonic circulation, the whole of north and central India saw maximum temperatures rising as rain was recorded across the region.

While rain in December is not unusual, it is usually light. As per IMD data, Delhi usually sees 8 mm of rain during the month over half a day. The rain in the city over the past 24 hours is over five times that.

“The interaction between a very active western disturbance and a cyclonic circulation on the east, along with a few other factors, has brought about this unusual weather. November and December are the two driest months in Delhi. During these months, it is usually a western disturbance that brings rain to the capital. It is the different weather systems clashing that lead to heavy downpours,” an IMD scientist said. “Another western disturbance is expected around January 1, but that may not bring rain,” he added.

The minimum temperature, recorded early Saturday morning, was 12.7 degrees Celsius at the Safdarjung weather station. This was 5.9 degrees above normal.

While the IMD had issued an ‘orange’ alert on Friday, with hail being forecast in isolated places late at night, the activity reduced by Saturday morning.

There is no significant rain alert in Delhi for the coming week.

Saturday morning, meanwhile, saw the air quality index (AQI) improve to moderate from very poor on Friday. At 1 pm, the AQI was recorded as 137. This is both because of the rain and a slight increase in wind speed.