Delhi Records Warmest May Night In Nearly 14 Years As Heatwave Conditions Persist

Last Updated:May 21, 2026, 23:38 IST

Delhi records warmest May night in 14 years as heatwave persists, IMD issues orange alert with temps above 45C, AQI hits 209.

Delhi continued to reel under severe heatwave conditions on Thursday, recording its warmest May night in nearly 14 years, as temperatures remained above 45°C in parts of the national capital and weather officials warned of another week of extreme heat.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Safdarjung, Delhi’s base weather station, registered a minimum temperature of 31.9°C, which was 5.2 degrees above normal and 3.6 degrees higher than the previous day. The last time the city recorded a hotter May night was on May 26, 2012, when the minimum temperature stood at 32.5°C.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Friday, forecasting a maximum temperature of 44°C, a minimum of 32°C, and continued heatwave conditions.

The weather department said heatwave conditions have persisted in parts of Delhi for the fourth consecutive day, with the trend expected to continue over the next seven days due to dry northwesterly winds and the absence of western disturbances across northwest India.

Several weather stations recorded extreme daytime temperatures. Ridge emerged as the hottest location in Delhi with a maximum temperature of 45.3°C, followed by Ayanagar (44.5°C), Palam (44.3°C) and Lodi Road (44.3°C).

At Safdarjung, the maximum temperature reached 43.6°C, nearly 3.5 degrees above normal.

Night temperatures also remained unusually high across the city. Apart from Safdarjung’s 31.9°C, Palam recorded 30.5°C, Ridge 30.6°C, and Lodi Road 29.6°C — all significantly above seasonal averages.

The IMD classifies a “warm night" when maximum temperatures remain at or above 40°C and minimum temperatures are 4.5–6.4 degrees above normal. Such conditions increase health risks because accumulated daytime heat does not dissipate sufficiently overnight.

Weather experts attributed the prolonged heat to hot, dry winds arriving from Rajasthan’s Thar Desert and parts of central Pakistan, which intensify temperatures over Delhi-NCR.

Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather said the lack of thunderstorms or pre-monsoon rainfall over the next 10 days is worsening conditions.

“The ground is not getting enough time to release accumulated heat, leading to persistently warm nights. These dry northwesterly winds are trapping heat and preventing cooling," Palawat said.

He warned that multiple areas across Delhi-NCR could continue experiencing heatwave conditions in the coming days, increasing the risk of heatstroke, dehydration and heat-related illnesses.

The extreme weather has also affected air quality, with dry, dust-laden winds pushing pollution levels higher. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 209, placing it in the “poor" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Authorities have advised residents, particularly children, elderly people and those with medical conditions, to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours and remain hydrated.

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