Heavy rain coming: IMD issues orange alert for Delhi, weather to turn

The alert arrives after days of intense heat, with temperatures often crossing 43°C, giving residents hope for some relief from hot days and warm nights.

In Short

• IMD issues orange alert for Delhi with chances of thunderstorms, gusty winds
• Weather system from Uttar Pradesh to bring light rains to Delhi-NCR soon
• Fresh thunderstorms expected late evening across northwest India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Delhi, indicating the likelihood of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds that could bring rain to the region within the next hour.

The alert arrives after days of intense heat, with temperatures often crossing 43°C, giving residents hope for some relief from hot days and warm nights, and previewing what an incoming monsoon will feel like.

The reason behind the sudden shift is a weather system moving out of Uttar Pradesh which is expected to bring light to moderate rains along with gusty winds to parts of Noida, Ghaziabad, and north and east Delhi soon.

These initial showers are likely to be brief.

WILL IT RAIN IN DELHI-NCR?

The approaching cluster of clouds could deliver sudden downpours, thunder, and winds in scattered pockets of the region.

This activity stems from heat-induced thunderstorms developing nearby, which often bring a mix of dust-raising winds followed by rain.

Skies are expected to remain partly cloudy with chances of thunderstorms-like conditions developing as the day passes.

Although this incoming morning spell of rain and wind will be short-lived, more widespread action is forecast for later in the day.

Fresh thunderstorms are likely to develop in the late evening, impacting Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, parts of Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh through the night and into early morning on Friday, June 12, possibly bringing moderate rainfall in some areas, along with lightning and gusty winds.

WHY IS THE WEATHER CHANGING?

This weather shift is primarily linked to a fresh western disturbance affecting northwest India.

After a prolonged period of heatwave conditions that pushed temperatures well above normal, the system is introducing moisture and instability into the region.

The IMD has noted that such western disturbances often trigger thunderstorm activity and a gradual drop in temperatures over the next couple of days.

Recent days have seen similar spells of dust storms and scattered rains in Delhi-NCR, highlighting the typical pre-monsoon pattern where intense heating builds up convective activity.

The current orange alert underscores the potential for squalls with winds reaching 40-60 kmph at times, offering a break from the scorching conditions that have gripped the capital.

Overall, Delhi-NCR is set for a busy weather day with intermittent rain and cooling effects expected to continue in the short term as a new weather system breaks the warm trend gripping the region.

- Ends