North and Central India are heading into a hot week, with temperatures touching 46 degrees Celsius from June 8. We break down the science of the loo winds and the heat dome, and explain when the relief will come. (Photo: PTI)

Why is Delhi-NCR baking under 43°C heat even as monsoon has entered India?

Delhi-NCR continues to reel under temperatures around 43°C even as the southwest monsoon advances across India. The capital remains under hot, dry winds, with broader relief likely only after June 11.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Delhi recorded above-normal temperatures as Ridge touched 43.4°C on Monday
  • The southwest monsoon has advanced, but it remains far from Delhi
  • Hot, dry winds from Rajasthan are suppressing cloud formation over Delhi

While the southwest monsoon has officially entered India and advanced across several parts of the country, residents of Delhi-NCR continue to endure scorching temperatures above 43°C, raising an obvious question: Why is the national capital still baking under extreme heat despite the onset of the rainy season?

The answer lies in the current position of the monsoon and the weather systems influencing northwestern India.

On Monday, Delhi's Ridge weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 43.4°C, while Safdarjung, the city's base station, registered 42.2°C, two degrees above normal. Other parts of the capital, including Lodi Road, Palam and Ayanagar, also reported temperatures exceeding 41°C.

Tuesday is no different. At the time of writing this report, the temperature had touched 42°C.

Although the southwest monsoon has made steady progress over southern, central and parts of eastern India, it is still hundreds of kilometres away from Delhi. The monsoon typically reaches the national capital around June 27, though the date can vary depending on atmospheric conditions.

At the time of writing this report, the temperature had touched 42°C. (Photo: PTI)

WHY IS DELHI-NCR SO HOT?

Meteorologists say Delhi is currently trapped between two contrasting weather regimes.

While moisture-laden monsoon winds are active over peninsular India, northwestern India remains under the influence of hot and dry continental air masses flowing from Rajasthan and adjoining regions. These winds suppress cloud formation and allow strong solar heating during the day.

Another factor behind the intense heat is the absence of widespread rainfall. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), only isolated parts of Delhi received light showers during the past 24 hours, with Palam recording 3.8 mm and Ayanagar 4.7 mm of rain. Most weather stations reported no rainfall, allowing temperatures to continue climbing.

The recent increase in humidity has also made conditions more uncomfortable. As moisture from the advancing monsoon begins to spread northward, it combines with high temperatures to push up the heat index, making the air feel hotter than the actual temperature.

Weather experts point out that the arrival of the monsoon over India does not bring immediate relief to all regions simultaneously. The monsoon advances in phases and often experiences temporary pauses, known as "breaks" or "stalling phases," before moving further north.

The IMD has forecast a gradual rise in Delhi's maximum temperature to around 43°C through June 10. Relief may arrive from June 11 onwards as fresh thunderstorm activity, cloud cover and gusty winds develop over the region.

Until then, Delhi-NCR is likely to remain caught in a pre-monsoon heat spell.

- Ends