Delhi is witnessing unusual high temperatures in November with specific weather conditions that generally set in with the onset of winter still at bay though the weathermen say the mercury will take a plunge from November 17.
Although it's mid-November, both day and nighttime temperatures in Delhi remain considerably well above the respective average value for the season. During the second week of the month, daily highs remain to stay well above 30 degrees Celsius, while nightly values hover between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius-a far cry from what experienced during this time of the year previously when they would have already settled in between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius by now.
Based on data from 2011 to 2023, the monthly average of November almost always retreated, day highs at 25 to 28 degrees Celsius and at night, 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
This year is a different case altogether. Daytime temperatures have yet to fall below 30 degrees Celsius. The lowest record so far stood at 31 degrees Celsius.
On the same day, November 11, 2023, day temperature went as low as 22 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, daytime temperature peaked at 32.4 degrees Celsius on Monday.
Data said similar weather pattern was recorded in 2015 and 2011, but nighttime temperatures were normal at 15 degrees Celsius while day temperatures were around 30 degrees Celsius in 2015.
Every year, a definite pattern of seasonal winds and temperature drop leads to the setting in of winter, but this time they haven't caught up yet," said an official from IMD while talking to PTI. The northern wind flow and Western Disturbances that bring colder air did not properly set in, the official added. However, we expect this trend to reverse in the 17th, around which time temperatures are likely to begin falling, he said.
In winter, a lot of colder temperatures in Delhi are brought on by Western Disturbances -weather systems that can bring rainfall and send temperatures plummeting across northern India.
But their absence and lack of snowfall in the Himalayas have contributed to the delay in the setting in of winter.
Maximum and minimum temperatures are within the city range of 30-32°C and 14-19°C, respectively.
For the next two days to three days, the surface wind from the southwest would prevail with wind speeds going as high as 8-10 kmph during the day.
Then, these winds will subside and be less than 8 kmph from the northwest at night. There is a possibility of the development of smog and mist during the evening and night.
High day temperatures also continue, with maxima between 32 and 33 degrees Celsius until November 14 or later, according to weather forecasts.
Data shows that October 2023 was the warmest October in 73 years on record.
By October 31st, 2024, the maximum temperature was reported to be 35.1 degrees Celsius and the lowest of 21.2 degrees Celsius. The corresponding data for 1951 had indicated that the maximum temperature had risen to 36.2 degrees Celsius and the minimum to 22.3 degrees Celsius.
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