Air better, rain and hailstorm likely tomorrow

GURUGRAM: Hailstorm, thunderstorm and brisk wind are expected in the city on Tuesday due to the arrival of a fresh Western Disturbance (WD) in the region. This will be followed by a spell of fog and decreased visibility. The temperature had inched upwards over the past two days but is expected to come down again, according to officials.

Officials with Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) said that a fresh WD was headed towards the region. “The WD will mix with easterly wind on the evening of February 28 over north-west Rajasthan, triggering hailstorm across most parts of northern India. We will also witness thunder storms, lightening, rain and wind in the region,” said an official.



The city’s air quality improved on Sunday. The air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 90 (satisfactory) while it was in the moderate level on Saturday.

Sunday was the third day in January and February when the air quality was recorded in the ‘satisfactory’ category. The air quality was recorded in satisfactory level on January 23, and February 20 also. The rain may disperse particulate matters.

All other NCR cities recorded AQI in the moderate levels. The index was 190 (moderate) in Delhi, 143 (moderate) in Faridabad, 159 (moderate) in Ghaziabad, 199 (moderate) in Greater Noida and 173 (moderate) in Noida.

Brisk wind of up to 30-40 km/hr would blow across NCR on Tuesday, said officials. “The velocity of wind would be high. It might exceed 40 km/hr at many places,” an official said, adding that light rain would start from Monday evening and continue till Wednesday.

“Monday is going to be cloudy during the day and we might witness rain in the evening. We are expecting the wet spell to continue till February 27,” the official added.

The rain will bring down the mercury but the dip would not be too steep, according to officials.

“The mercury will dip from the current 13 degrees Celsius to 9-10 degrees Celsius. The mercury had been rising under the influence of the approaching Western Disturbance,” said an official, adding that, “We are expecting another WD after a few days and each time a WD arrives, mercury rises till there is rain. So, temperatures will go up soon afterwards.”

It was reported to be very warm in the city on Sunday. The maximum temperature rose to 23 degrees Celsius in Gurgaon while the minimum dropped to 11. Delhi recorded a minimum of 11.8 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 23.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday.