Delhi recorded its hottest day of 2026 at 31.6°C, 7.2 degrees above normal, as a sudden warm spell gripped the capital. With clear skies and no rainfall, experts warn the unusual February heat may persist before rain brings slight relief.
The national capital witnessed its hottest day of the year on Monday
New Delhi: The national capital witnessed its hottest day of the year on Monday as temperatures surged well above normal levels, marking a sharp shift from the winter chill. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 31.6 degrees Celsius, the highest so far in 2026.
The Safdarjung observatory, considered the city’s base weather station, reported the 31.6°C reading a significant 7.2 degrees above the seasonal average. The IMD also noted a sharp 24-hour rise of 3.1 degrees, pointing to a sudden warm spell gripping the region.
Other monitoring stations across Delhi also recorded above-normal daytime temperatures. Ayanagar registered a high of 30.4°C, which is 7.1 degrees above normal. Lodi Road recorded 29.2°C, 5.2 degrees higher than average, while the Ridge station logged 28.4°C, exceeding normal levels by 5.3 degrees.
The IMD attributed the unusual February heat to clear skies and low wind speeds, resulting in intense sunshine during the afternoon hours. Weather experts suggest that the current conditions are not typical for mid-February.
While daytime temperatures soared, minimum temperatures across most parts of the city remained near or slightly below average. Ayanagar recorded a low of 9.4°C, which is 1.5 degrees below normal. Safdarjung and Lodi Road logged minimums of 10.1°C and 10.4°C, respectively.
However, Palam and Ridge stations reported slightly above-normal minimum temperatures at 11.6°C and 11.8°C.
According to private weather forecaster Skymet’s Vice-President Mahesh Palawat, the warm spell is expected to continue for the next one to two days. He added that an approaching western disturbance could bring scattered rainfall, potentially offering some relief and pushing minimum temperatures upward.
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Despite the warm weather, Delhi’s air quality remained a concern. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 258 on Monday, placing it in the ‘poor’ category as per the Central Pollution Control Board standards.
All five key weather stations : Safdarjung, Palam, Lodi Road, Ridge, and Ayanagar reported zero rainfall during the past 24 hours, further contributing to dry and hazy conditions across the capital.
