Delhi-NCR Weather: Unusual Western Disturbance Brings Winter Chill To March

Residents across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to a “sudden winter” on Friday, March 20, 2026. A powerful and “unusual” weather system triggered light to moderate rainfall, intense thunderstorms, and gusty winds, providing a sharp contrast to the record-breaking heat seen earlier this month.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Yellow Alert for the day, warning that the maximum temperature could settle between 23°C and 25°C—a significant drop from the 36.8°C recorded just nine days ago.

1. A Record-Breaking March Rain

The ongoing spell has officially made this the wettest March for Delhi since 2023.

• Current Stats: The city has recorded an average of 9.4 mm of rainfall this month.
• Historical Context: While higher than the last two years, it remains below the 50.4 mm recorded in March 2023.
• Temperature Swing: On Thursday, the maximum temperature fell below 30°C for the first time in a month, settling at 26.8°C. Friday’s minimum has hovered around 18°C.

2. The “Rare” Western Disturbance

Climate scientists are calling the current weather system highly atypical for this time of year.

• Straight-Line Trough: Dr. Pradeep, a climate scientist, noted that the Western Disturbance features a “trough” (an elongated area of low pressure) situated in a straight line spanning thousands of kilometers.
• Intensity: This rare structure is responsible for the “very strong thunderstorms” and the sudden return of a winter-like chill just as Delhi was preparing for an early summer.

3. IMD Forecast for Friday

The IMD expects the weather to remain volatile throughout the day:

• Morning: Generally cloudy skies with light rain and lightning.
• Afternoon/Evening: One or two spells of light to moderate rain.
• Wind: Surface winds of 30-40 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 50 kmph.

Delhi 7-Day Temperature Outlook (March 2026)