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Delhi Sizzles: March Heat Breaks Records Early
8 Mar
Summary
- Saturday's temperature reached 35.7°C, the earliest this heat threshold has been crossed since 2011.
- Experts attribute the unusual March heat to low mountain snow, scant winter rain, and climate change.
- Temperatures are predicted to rise further before a potential dip around March 9 due to expected western disturbances.
Delhi's mercury climbed to 35.7°C on Saturday, marking the earliest instance of the daytime temperature exceeding 35°C since at least 2011. This was 7.3°C higher than the normal temperature for this period, with the minimum temperature also recorded at 17.4°C, 3.4°C above average.
Previous years saw the heat threshold crossed later, with 2021 recording 35.2°C on March 11 and 2025 seeing 36.2°C on March 14. Experts cite the lack of significant snowfall in the western Himalayas since January and minimal winter rain across northern plains as primary causes.
Additionally, the broad climate crisis is identified as a disruptor of weather patterns, contributing to the sustained high temperatures across northern India. Weak western disturbances approaching the Himalayas are failing to bring substantial relief.
Forecasters anticipate a further marginal increase in temperatures, potentially reaching 36°C on Sunday and 37°C by Wednesday, before a slight dip. Relief is expected around March 9 with predictions of rain and snowfall over the hills, potentially lowering temperatures by 5-7°C next week.
