Delhi: Palam records highest April temperature since 1970 at 45.3 degree Celsius

NEW DELHI: As mercury continued to soar, Delhi on Tuesday recorded the highest yet maximum temperature this season, at 43.7 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal. Earlier, last Thursday was the previous hottest day this season as the mercury clocked 42.1 degrees Celsius.
The hottest location in the capital was Palam on Tuesday, which recorded a sizzling high of 45.3 degrees Celsius, equal to the record high for this month on April 25, 1970.
However, a bit of relief is in sight. On Wednesday, partly cloudy sky with possibility of dust storm or thunderstorm with gusty winds (speed expected to go up to 30-40 km per hour) towards afternoon or evening is expected. The maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 42 and 24 degrees Celsius respectively.
"Temperatures are expected to drop slightly from Wednesday and Thursday due to this thundery development," a Met official said, adding that easterly winds are expected, which will create isolated clouds and slight fall in the temperature.
According to the official, the cyclonic storm 'FANI' over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining East Equatorial Indian Ocean will create easterly winds and thereby some rain in the Delhi region.
Parts of Delhi had been recording heatwave conditions last week. A heatwave is classified when the maximum temperature at a location is four or more degrees above normal temperature.
Delhi's minimum temperature was 23 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal, on Tuesday.
Delhi's air quality was, meanwhile, classified as 'poor' on Monday as the AQI clocked 250. According to SAFAR dust forecast system, significant coarse mineral dust lifting is happening in the hot and dry region.
"The air quality is predicted to slightly deteriorate and be in the higher end of poor category for the next two days. Under the influence of western disturbance, thunderstorms with gusty winds are expected at isolated locations," A SAFAR report stated.