Delhi Records Wettest January in Four Years, Rainy February Start Likely

Delhi experienced its wettest January morning in the last four years as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms swept across parts of the national capital, significantly altering weather conditions and pulling temperatures well below seasonal averages. The spell of rain, which occurred late Tuesday and continued into early Wednesday, brought a sharp change in the city’s winter pattern and disrupted daily routines for residents.

According to official weather data, the rainfall led to a sudden deterioration in air quality across Delhi. The Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped into the ‘very poor’ category, with readings touching 266 by Wednesday morning. Meteorological experts noted that while rain often helps cleanse the air, fluctuating wind patterns and humidity levels contributed to a temporary spike in pollution levels following the showers.

January rainfall in the capital has now reached 24 mm, making it the wettest January since 2022. A significant portion of this came earlier in the month, when a spell of rain delivered nearly 20 mm on January 23. The most recent showers added another 4.2 mm at the Safdarjung weather station, along with traces of rain recorded at other locations, pushing the cumulative monthly figure to its highest in four years.

Despite the notable rainfall, it still falls short of the highest January precipitation recorded in recent history. On January 8, 2022, Delhi had witnessed a substantial 40.6 mm of rainfall, a benchmark that remains unmatched since.

The downpour had a marked impact on temperatures across the city. At Safdarjung, considered Delhi’s reference weather station, the maximum temperature dropped to 16.9 degrees Celsius, which is over five degrees below normal for this time of year. The minimum temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius, marginally below the seasonal average. Several parts of the city experienced a chilly start to the day as cloudy skies and persistent moisture lingered.

While conditions briefly met the technical criteria for a cold day — with maximum temperatures dipping significantly below normal and minimum temperatures falling under 10 degrees Celsius — weather officials indicated that the day would not be officially classified as such. Forecasts suggest temperatures are expected to rise again in the coming days, preventing a prolonged cold spell.

Rainfall distribution across the city varied widely. Measurements taken between morning and evening on January 27 showed higher rainfall at stations such as Palam and the Ridge, while moderate precipitation was recorded at Lodi Road and Ayanagar. No rainfall had been observed in the 24 hours prior to the spell, highlighting the sudden nature of the weather change.

Looking ahead, meteorologists expect the rain to taper off for the remainder of the week. However, forecasts indicate that February may begin on a wet note, with light drizzles likely to affect parts of Delhi around February 1. While widespread rainfall is not anticipated, the outlook suggests continued weather variability as winter transitions toward early spring.

The recent rainfall has underscored the unpredictability of winter weather patterns in the capital, bringing temporary relief from dry conditions while also introducing challenges related to air quality, temperature swings, and urban mobility.