Why it's raining in Delhi despite monsoon end?

Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad along with other NCR regions, woke up to heavy rain and thunderstorms on Monday, October 12, bringing a sudden change in weather and a noticeable drop in temperatures. Rain swept across the national capital, while Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad were also covered by the weather alert. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms across Delhi-NCR for the next two to three hours. The rain has also brought attention to a wider spell of unsettled weather across northern India. Parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have experienced rain and thunderstorms despite the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from several regions.

Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida weather today: What has IMD predicted?

The IMD warned that rain and thunderstorms could continue over Delhi-NCR for two to three hours on Monday morning. The warning covered Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida and Ghaziabad. The weather office had recorded a fall of around 1-2 degrees Celsius in Delhi's maximum temperature over the preceding 24 hours.

Delhi's maximum temperature was expected to be around 30-32 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures were in the range of 21-24 degrees Celsius. The rain brought temporary relief from the relatively warm conditions of early October. However, the cooler feeling during and immediately after a downpour does not necessarily mean that winter has arrived.

Why is it raining in Delhi, Gurgaon, NCR and northern India after the monsoon?

The current weather change is linked to atmospheric systems that can bring rain even after the southwest monsoon begins withdrawing. Western Disturbance over Himachal Pradesh, along with troughs extending across parts of north and central India are key factors behind the unsettled conditions.

A Western Disturbance is a weather system that moves eastwards from the west and can bring clouds, rain, thunderstorms and hail to northwestern India. When it interacts with moisture and other weather systems, it can trigger rainfall across the plains as well as the Himalayan region. Troughs are elongated zones of relatively low atmospheric pressure. They can encourage air to rise, helping clouds develop and creating conditions favourable for showers and thunderstorms.

Hail can form inside strong thunderstorm clouds when powerful upward air currents carry water droplets into very cold layers of the atmosphere. The droplets freeze and may grow into ice pellets before falling to the ground. The intensity of a thunderstorm, the amount of moisture available and the temperature profile within the cloud all influence whether hail develops.

The IMD had recorded hailstorms at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand on October 11. The weather department also warned of isolated hailstorms and strong winds in parts of northwestern India. However, hail is not expected everywhere that experiences rain. Conditions can vary considerably between neighbouring districts.

How many more days will it rain in Delhi-NCR?

Delhi-NCR's main spell of rain is expected to be brief, according to the forecast reported on October 12. The IMD warning covered the next two to three hours on Monday morning, while the city's forecast indicated partly cloudy skies and no rainfall over the following six days.

This means the October 12 downpour does not, by itself, point to a continuous week of rain in Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida. The outlook for other parts of northern India is different. The IMD forecast on October 11 indicated:

• Uttarakhand: Isolated to scattered rain was likely between October 11 and 17.
• Himachal Pradesh: Rain was forecast for October 11-13, with another spell possible on October 16-17.
• Punjab: Fairly widespread to widespread rain was forecast for October 11 and 15, with isolated to scattered showers possible between October 12 and 14.
• Haryana, Delhi and parts of western Uttar Pradesh: Rain was also expected in the coming days, although the intensity and timing could vary.

These forecasts indicate that unsettled weather may persist in parts of northern India for several days, even if Delhi-NCR returns to drier conditions after Monday's showers.

Will Delhi-NCR become colder after the rain?

The immediate effect of rain is often a temporary dip in temperature, particularly when cloud cover and gusty winds accompany the showers. However, the IMD forecast reported on Monday suggested that daytime temperatures in Delhi could rise again to around 32-34 degrees Celsius on October 13 and 33-35 degrees Celsius on October 14. Night temperatures were expected to remain around 23-25 degrees Celsius.

The forecast therefore does not indicate the immediate arrival of sustained winter conditions. Residents may experience a cooler morning following the rain, but warmer afternoons could return.

Delhi weather forecast: Will it rain over the next five days?

Despite Monday's showers, Delhi is expected to remain largely dry over the coming days. The IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies and no rainfall, with maximum temperatures likely to range between 31 and 35 degrees Celsius.

Here is the day-by-day temperature forecast for Delhi:

IMD issues traffic advisory after rain and waterlogging

The heavy rainfall has raised concerns about waterlogging and traffic congestion in parts of Delhi. The IMD had warned on October 11 of possible minor traffic disruptions, a higher risk of vehicle accidents and water accumulation in low-lying areas and on roads.

The department advised commuters to check traffic conditions before setting out, follow official traffic advisories and avoid routes that frequently experience waterlogging. The water accumulation reported near Jhandewalan Temple in Karol Bagh highlights the problems that intense showers can create even when the rain lasts for a relatively short period.

Commuters travelling through affected areas should allow extra time for their journeys and exercise caution on wet roads. Heavy showers can reduce visibility and increase the risk of skidding, particularly where water has accumulated.

What should commuters in Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida keep in mind?

Heavy showers can reduce visibility, slow traffic and cause water to accumulate on roads and underpasses. Strong winds and lightning can also create hazards during thunderstorms.

Commuters should check traffic updates before leaving, particularly if their routes pass through low-lying or frequently waterlogged areas. Motorists should reduce speed on wet roads and avoid driving through water of uncertain depth.

People outdoors should seek shelter inside a substantial building or an enclosed vehicle during lightning activity rather than standing beneath isolated trees.

For now, the key weather development is the contrast between Monday morning's heavy rain and the forecast for drier conditions across Delhi-NCR over the following days. Other northern states may continue to experience showers and thunderstorms as the wider weather systems move across the region.