A bout of intense pre-monsoon weather is set to sweep across Delhi and its neighboring regions, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounding an alert for high-speed winds, thunderstorms, and moderate rainfall over the next three days.
Starting Wednesday, May 29, residents in the National Capital Region — including parts of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandigarh — should brace for unpredictable weather conditions, marked by lightning, thunder, and scattered rainfall. The IMD has forecast that the most severe impact is expected on Thursday, May 30, when wind gusts may touch 70 kmph during thundersqualls.
“Thundersquall wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph, gusting to 70 kmph, is likely over Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi on May 30,” said the IMD in its latest advisory. Similar weather activity is also forecast across Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and parts of Rajasthan during this period.
While normal surface winds in Delhi are expected to remain under 10 kmph and largely blow from the southeast, sudden and forceful gusts during thunderstorms could pose safety hazards. The IMD has advised residents to remain indoors during extreme weather, avoid sheltering under trees, and secure loose objects such as flower pots and outdoor furniture to prevent accidents.
Delhi’s skies will remain partly cloudy, with spells of very light to light rain and intermittent thunderstorms. Despite the approaching stormy spell, the maximum temperature is expected to hover between 38°C to 40°C, offering slight relief from the usual scorching late-May heat and registering 1–2°C below the seasonal average.
Authorities have been placed on high alert, and emergency services are on standby to respond swiftly to any incidents. The IMD has warned that the combination of high winds, rain, and lightning may lead to localized disruptions, including waterlogging, minor damage to infrastructure, and traffic snarls.
