♌Delhiites woke up to a light drizzle on Thursday morning, with the minimum temperature recorded at 19.5°C, 4.1°C above the season's average.
𝔍The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms with rain throughout the day, and the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 26°C. The wind speed is also expected to increase after the morning hours, offering some relief from the otherwise stagnant air quality.
✱Humidity levels were recorded at 72 per cent at 8:30 am. Despite the rain, the air quality in Delhi remained concerning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) measured at 260 at 9:00 am, placing it in the 'poor' category. The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) AQI scale indicates that any AQI between 201-300 is considered poor, and current conditions are raising alarms for respiratory health.
𝓡The capital also recorded a temperature of 21.2°C around 9:00 am, with the day’s maximum expected to reach 26°C. According to the IMD, this wet weather is influenced by a Western Disturbance, which is expected to bring more rainfall to Delhi’s neighboring states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana, between February 27 and March 1.
✨On Wednesday, Delhi recorded the highest temperature of the season so far, reaching 32°C, six notches above the seasonal average. The air quality on Wednesday also remained 'poor,' with an AQI of 247. February 2025 is on track to match last year’s temperature highs, with 32°C recorded on both February 27, 2023, and February 2025.
Heavy snowfall and rain in Himachal Pradesh
🅠In Himachal Pradesh, the higher reaches of the state received significant snowfall, while the middle and lower areas were lashed by heavy rain on Wednesday. The local Meteorological Department issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rain and snow in isolated areas on Thursday and Friday.
🌞Kukumseri recorded the highest snowfall, with 41 cm over the past 24 hours since Tuesday evening. Kalpa followed with 16.8 cm of snow, while Keylong received 12 cm. Other notable snow totals included Hansa and Kadrala with 10 cm each, and Sangla with 3.5 cm.
🌟Intermittent light to moderate rains affected several parts of the state, with Jot receiving the highest rainfall at 59.4 mm, followed by Manali (33 mm), Seobagh (29.2 mm), Sarahan (22.5 mm), Bhuntar (24.8 mm), Dharamshala (15.6 mm), Rampur (13.6 mm), and Dalhousie and Jogindernagar with 12 mm each. Shimla, Sundernagar, Mandi, Una, Palampur, and Gohar saw rainfall ranging from 3 to 9 mm.
ܫThe Met Office has issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rains at isolated locations in Mandi, Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba districts on Thursday and Friday. Yellow alerts have also been issued for heavy rain and cold days in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Sirmaur districts, as well as for heavy snow in Lahaul and Spiti and both heavy rain and snow in Shimla district.
ꦚA fresh Western Disturbance is expected to affect Northwest India from March 2, according to the IMD.
♔During the night, Keylong in the tribal Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest, recording a low of -3.6°C, while Dhaulakuan in Sirmaur district was the hottest during the day, reaching 27.4°C.
