Delhi Weather Report: IMD Data Shows Heat Surge Across North India: Delhi Logs Record March Heat

Delhi Weather: A sharp rise in temperatures has been recorded across several northern states, with New Delhi experiencing its hottest first week of March in 50 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). On Saturday, March 7, the maximum temperature at the city's base weather station in Safdarjung Observatory touched 35.7°C, making it the highest temperature recorded during the first seven days of March in the past five decades.

Historical weather data shows the earlier record for the period was 34.8°C on March 5, 1999. IMD data since 2011 also indicates that the second-highest temperature during the first week of March was 33.6°C recorded on March 4, 2016. On Saturday, the Safdarjung station reported a minimum temperature of 17.4°C, which was 3.4°C above normal, while the maximum remained 7.3°C higher than the seasonal average.

The heat trend has also spread across neighbouring states. In Haryana, the average maximum temperature was about 6.2°C above normal, with Hisar recording the highest temperature in the state at 36.3°C.

In Uttarakhand, temperatures have risen steadily in Dehradun and surrounding areas over the past few days. The minimum temperature in Dehradun climbed sharply from 12°C to 17.8°C, about 6°C above normal, while the maximum reached 31.5°C, roughly 5°C above the seasonal average. The Meteorological Centre in Dehradun said both plains and hill regions experienced significantly above-normal temperatures during the last 24 hours.

Parts of Jammu and Kashmir also continued to witness warmer-than-usual conditions. In Jammu, the maximum temperature reached 30°C, around 4.6°C above normal, while the minimum settled at 19.1°C, about 5.6°C higher than usual. Nearby Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi Temple, recorded a maximum of 28°C and a minimum of 17.8°C, both above normal for the season.

Meanwhile, temperatures have also been climbing in Himachal Pradesh. The meteorological office in Shimla has issued a heat wave alert for four districts - Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Solan. Areas such as Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Solan and Dharamshala reported heatwave conditions.

Una recorded the highest daytime temperature in the state at 32.8°C, while Tabo remained the coldest location overnight with a minimum temperature of 1.8°C.

Weather officials expect a change in conditions between March 10 and 12, when a western disturbance may bring a spell of rain and cooler temperatures across parts of north India.