Light rain eases Delhi‑NCR heatwave after record-warm night

Light rain and cloudy skies brought relief across parts of Delhi-NCR on Saturday morning after several days of heatwave conditions and a record-warm night earlier in the week. The Times of India reported showers in parts of the region as residents woke to lower temperatures and overcast skies. The India Meteorological Department’s Delhi warning for Saturday also flagged thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across Delhi and nearby areas. ### How unusual was the heat before the rain arrived? Safdarjung, Delhi’s base weather station, recorded a minimum temperature of 31.9 degrees Celsius on May 21, making it the warmest May night in 14 years, according to IMD data cited by Hindustan Times and Times of India. That reading was 5.2 degrees above normal. A higher May minimum for Delhi — 34.2 degrees Celsius — was last recorded on May 27, 2012, the reports said. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Hindustan Times reported that parts of Delhi had entered “warm night” conditions even as daytime temperatures remained above 43 degrees Celsius in the week leading up to Saturday. Indian Express said the maximum temperature stayed above 43 degrees Celsius on May 20, 21 and 22 before easing to 41.1 degrees Celsius on May 23. (hindustantimes.com) ### What changed on Saturday morning in Delhi-NCR? Saturday’s change was modest but noticeable. The Times of India said light rainfall and cloudy skies were reported across parts of Delhi-NCR, bringing relief after days of scorching heat. The IMD’s Delhi page for Saturday listed thunderstorm, lightning and gusty-wind warnings for Delhi, Haryana and west Uttar Pradesh, indicating the shift was tied to unstable weather rather than a full break from summer conditions. (hindustantimes.com) IMD’s Delhi-NCR forecast page showed temperatures across stations in and around the capital in the high 20s to low 30s Celsius on Saturday, with local variation across neighborhoods and adjoining cities. That was lower than the peak heat seen earlier in the week, though still consistent with hot late-May conditions. ### Did the rain end the heatwave? The respite looked brief. Hindustan Times reported on Saturday evening that heatwave conditions were expected to grip Delhi again from Sunday after the short spell of winds, thunderstorms and rain. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Indian Express similarly reported that Delhi would continue to face heatwave conditions through May 28, citing the India Meteorological Department. (mausam.imd.gov.in) The IMD warning page for Saturday still showed heatwave to severe heatwave conditions elsewhere in north India, while listing only thunderstorm-related warnings for Delhi. That combination suggests the capital moved out of the most intense phase temporarily, even as the broader regional heat pattern remained in place. ### Why were officials and residents watching this so closely? Delhi’s power demand had been nearing 9,000 megawatts as the heat intensified, Hindustan Times reported on May 22. (hindustantimes.com) High overnight temperatures matter because they reduce the cooling relief that usually comes after sunset, keeping homes warmer and air-conditioner use elevated through the night. (mausam.imd.gov.in) The Times of India said residents welcomed Saturday’s weather shift after days of punishing heat. The article described the showers and clouds as immediate relief rather than a longer-term change in conditions. ### What should readers watch next? May 24 and the following several days are the next key dates in the Delhi forecast. (hindustantimes.com) Hindustan Times said heat could return from Sunday, while Indian Express reported IMD expected heatwave conditions to continue till May 28. IMD’s Delhi and Delhi-NCR forecast pages remain the main official sources for updated warnings on thunderstorms, gusty winds and any renewed heatwave alert. (hindustantimes.com) (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)