Delhi logs warmest March in 3 years amid cooler end

Delhi's maximum temperature may have dipped over the past few days, but it has still been a warmer-than-usual March, with the average monthly maximum temperature recorded over two degrees above normal, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

NEW DELHI:

The monthly average maximum temperature as of Sunday was 32.2 degrees Celsius (°C), which is Delhi's warmest since March 2022, when it was 33.4°C. The long-period average maximum for March is 29.9°C, officials said. The minimum temperature, meanwhile, was recorded at 15.6°C this month, the same as the long-period average (LPA), which is 15.6°C.

"Barring the past few days, where the maximum has dropped marginally, it has largely been above normal. There has not been considerable rain this month across Delhi NCR, which has meant there has not been any cooling effect," an IMD official said.

Delhi has so far recorded only 1.8mm of rainfall this month, against an average of 17.4mm of rainfall for March, making it a considerable deficit, according to previous years' data.

Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet, said March temperature has been following the trend of previous months, with western disturbances largely being feeble. "Although we have seen western disturbances, they have mainly impacted the mountains and not the plains. Only one western disturbance brought rain to Delhi, which has meant it has mostly been dry, with clear skies. This has raised mercury sharply, barring for the last few days, when strong cool winds have somewhat controlled the maximum," said Palawat, adding that a similar trend could continue next month.