Mercury likely to touch 42°C by this weekend

Gurgaon: The city’s maximum temperature was almost the same on Wednesday at 38.2 degrees Celsius, compared to 38 degrees on Tuesday. The sky was clear throughout the day. The minimum temperature dipped by 1.5 notches to 22.3 degrees Celsius, against Tuesday’s 23.8 degrees.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature is likely to touch 42 degrees Celsius by the weekend, while the minimum temperature will hover around 27 to 28 degrees from Friday onwards.
“Light to moderate rain is likely in isolated areas of the state on June 7, 8 and 11. The weather is likely to be dry on June 9 and 10. Thunderstorms or lightning are likely in isolated areas on June 7 and 12. There is likely to be a rise in maximum temperatures by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius during the next four days, and a fall after that, across the state,” said an IMD official.
This year’s summer months have been relatively less harsh than previous years due to unseasonal rainfall. The region witnessed unexpected showers in March and April, as a result of which the maximum temperature dropped under 40 degrees Celsius.
In March, rainfall was over five times the normal for the month, while April recorded a 39% rain surplus. In May, the city received 52.8 mm rain, which is 217% more than the normal of 22.4 mm rain.
Last year, the city’s highest maximum temperature was 45.9 degrees Celsius on April 30. In 2021, it was 44.3 degrees Celsius on April 29.
The city’s air quality index (AQI) dipped to ‘very poor’ at 311 on Wednesday, from 123 (moderate) the day before. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), “The predominant surface wind is likely to be coming from northwest direction in Delhi-NCR with wind speeds of 8-10kmph and mainly clear skies. The air quality is likely to be in ‘very poor’ category for the next three days.”