The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted that the southwest monsoon in Delhi is likely to arrive on Tuesday, marking an earlier-than-usual arrival this year.
“Monsoon onset over Delhi is likely by June 24,†the IMD stated in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “Humidity and easterly winds are prevailing, which are conducive to rainfall. Light showers may occur today, followed by more widespread rain in the coming days,†the department added.
According to the IMD, weather patterns over northwest India have become increasingly favourable for the advancement of the monsoon. Conditions are now set for the seasonal rains to progress further into Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi. Private weather agency Skymet Weather has also confirmed that the monsoon’s onset in Delhi is likely on June 24.
Earlier, the IMD has issued a yellow alert and warning residents of potential rain and thunderstorms throughout the day for the national Capital.
The yellow alert, part of IMD’s colour-coded warning system, signifies weather conditions that may disrupt daily life and require the public to “be aware†and prepared.
Traditionally, the monsoon reaches Delhi around June 30. If the forecast holds, this year’s arrival on June 24 would be one of the earliest in recent memory — the earliest since 2013, when monsoon rains reached Delhi on June 16. For context, the monsoon arrived in the capital on June 28 in 2024, June 25 in 2023, June 30 in 2022, and July 13 in 2021.
The IMD has forecast a generally overcast sky for the next several days, accompanied by light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, and lightning.
The fresh wave of monsoon showers is expected to bring a significant drop in day temperatures and provide relief from the prevailing humidity.
The main criteria for the declaration of monsoon are easterly winds and rainfall logged over 2.5mm.
Rainfall statistics for June already indicate an active pre-monsoon phase.
Delhi has witnessed three days this month with rainfall exceeding 2.4 mm, and the city has already recorded 89 mm of rain — well above the average June rainfall of 43.3 mm.
By comparison, June 2024 had seen 243.4 mm of rain, far surpassing the monthly normal of 74.1 mm. Notably, on the day the monsoon hit the city last year, Delhi’s Safdarjung station registered a whopping 228.1 mm of rainfall in a single day.
An analysis of IMD’s data shows that the monsoon reached Delhi on June 25 in 2023, and Safdarjung, the city’s base station, logged 48.3mm rainfall. From 2021 to 2024, the monsoon mostly brought moderate showers either on the onset day or a day after, which is an average rainfall logged in the past 24 hours.
The monsoon hit Delhi on June 30 in 2022, but only trace rainfall was seen on that day. However, very heavy rain was received in the average 24-hour rainfall until July 1 at 117.2mm.
In 2021, Delhi saw a delayed onset of the monsoon on July 13, with the city receiving 24.8mm and 28.5mm on July 13 and 14, respectively.
In contrast, the monsoon arrived on June 25 in 2020, with the city receiving 14.6mm of rainfall.
According to IMD, trace to 2.4mm of rainfall recorded in 24 hours is considered very light rain, while light rainfall is between 2.5mm and 15.5mm.
Rainfall recorded between 15.6mm and 64.4mm is declared moderate while it is considered to be heavy when the rainfall is from 64.5mm to 115.5mm. Rainfall logged between 115.6mm and 204.4mm is categorised as very heavy.
On Monday, Delhi experienced high humidity levels, with the relative humidity soaring to 89 percent. The maximum temperature reached 35 degrees Celsius, while the minimum dropped to 26 degrees. The Lodhi Road weather observatory recorded 4.3 mm of light rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, offering a preview of the wet weather expected to follow.
