It was a day of multiple weather phenomena for Delhi on Friday, as a dust storm kicked off morning proceedings— leading to a spike in pollution levels—before giving way to clear skies during the afternoon and then making way for a spell of rainfall from the evening.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued an “orange” alert in the evening, warning of rainfall and lightning.
Delhi recorded a “poor” air quality index (AQI) of 266, a maximum temperature of 33.7 degrees Celsius (°C) and 0.4mm of rainfall on the day.
According to IMD data, strong surface winds of over 20kmph kicked up dust across parts of the city in the morning hours, causing a spike in the AQI from a “moderate” reading of 194 recorded a day before.
The minimum temperature on Friday was 22.4°C, which was 3.4°C above normal, while the maximum temperature of 33.7°C was marginally below normal, as per the IMD.
As wind speed kept up, intermittent spells of dust storms were recorded at isolated pockets in the afternoon.
“Generally cloudy sky with a spell of very light rain/drizzle accompanied with thunderstorms, lightning and strong surface winds were seen during evening to night,” an IMD official said.
Light rainfall started around 5pm in isolated pockets, gradually spreading across Delhi-NCR.
By around 8pm, rainfall intensified into moderate showers in several areas, accompanied by gusty winds.
The IMD issued an orange alert for the city, warning of thunderstorms, lightning and gusts of 40-50kmph or faster speeds.
Officials said the rapidly changing conditions were driven by an active western disturbance and associated cyclonic circulations influencing northwest India.
The IMD has forecast continued variability in weather over the coming days.
