The southwest monsoon is gradually moving towards north India, but Delhi-NCR is still waiting for its full arrival. While residents continue to experience warm and humid conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast some welcome relief on Saturday, June 27, with the possibility of light rain, thunderstorms and strong winds during the afternoon and evening.
According to the IMD, Delhi is expected to witness a partly cloudy sky throughout the day. Very light to light rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty surface winds, may develop later in the day. Wind speeds are likely to range between 40 and 50 kmph, with gusts touching up to 60 kmph in some areas.
Delhi weather today: Rain, thunderstorms and strong winds expected
The IMD has predicted that Delhi's weather will remain partly cloudy, with sunshine during the morning and cloud cover increasing later in the day.
The forecast includes:
- Partly cloudy skies throughout the day
- Possibility of very light to light rain
- Thunderstorms and lightning during the afternoon or evening
- Surface wind speeds of 40-50 kmph
- Gusts reaching up to 60 kmph
Neighbouring cities such as Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad are also expected to experience similar weather conditions.
When will the monsoon reach Delhi-NCR?
Although scattered showers have already been recorded in parts of north India, the southwest monsoon has not yet fully covered Delhi-NCR and surrounding regions.
The IMD expects light rainfall in the national capital on June 27, followed by another spell between July 1 and July 2. Weather experts believe these showers will gradually lower temperatures and ease the uncomfortable humidity.
Meteorologists say the official arrival of the monsoon is determined by several factors, including sustained rainfall, moisture levels and favourable wind patterns across a large area, not simply by rain falling in every district.
This explains why some parts of a state may continue to experience hot and dry weather even after the monsoon has officially entered the region.
Rain forecast for north India
Apart from Delhi-NCR, several northern states are expected to witness changing weather conditions over the coming days.
Uttar Pradesh
Light to moderate rainfall is likely across several districts over the next few days, bringing relief from the prevailing heat.
Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh
The IMD has forecast changing weather patterns, with increasing cloud cover, isolated rainfall and thunderstorms expected in many areas.
Rajasthan
Western Rajasthan remains under a rain alert for June 27, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds likely.
Between June 28 and July 2, wind speeds may reach up to 50 kmph across western districts. Eastern Rajasthan is also expected to experience thunderstorms and strong winds until July 2.
Uttarakhand
Thunderstorms accompanied by rain and lightning are likely between June 30 and July 2 as moisture gradually increases across the Himalayan region.
Why has the monsoon slowed down?
Weather experts say the temporary pause in monsoon activity is mainly due to the absence of a strong low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
These low-pressure systems are essential because they pull moisture inland and strengthen the southwesterly winds that drive the monsoon across central and northern India. Without them, rainfall remains scattered instead of becoming widespread.
Recent satellite images from INSAT-3DS show dense cloud cover over central India, the Bay of Bengal, the northeastern states and parts of southern India. However, large parts of Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan continue to show relatively clear skies, indicating that the monsoon has not yet fully established itself in these regions.
Good news: Monsoon likely to strengthen in early July
Meteorologists are optimistic that the current weather pattern could change soon.
Weather models suggest a large tropical weather system may develop over the eastern Indian Ocean before moving into the Bay of Bengal within the next four to seven days. If this system strengthens as expected, it could trigger the formation of a fresh low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal along with a middle-tropospheric vortex over western India.
These systems would significantly boost moisture transport into northern India and increase rainfall activity during the first week of July.
As a result, the southwest monsoon is expected to advance more rapidly across the remaining parts of northwest India, including Delhi-NCR, bringing more widespread and consistent rainfall after several days of patchy showers.
Delhi weather outlook
For now, Delhi residents can expect a mix of sunshine and clouds, with the best chance of rain arriving during the afternoon and evening on June 27. While the showers may remain light and isolated, the accompanying strong winds could offer temporary relief from the heat.
With weather models pointing towards a stronger monsoon surge in early July, residents across Delhi-NCR may finally witness the season settling in, ending the prolonged spell of hot and humid weather.
Inputs from agencies
