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'{{climate chart |[[New Delhi]] | 6.0|21.0| 14.8 | 8.4|24.1| 14.1 |13.6|30.2| 9.3 |20.0|37.0| 6.1 |24.4|40.5| 18.9 |27.5|40.2| 54.2 |26.2|35.1|241.1 |25.3|33.2|284.3 |23.2|33.7|119.4 |18.2|33.2| 16.8 |11.7|28.3| 6.4 | 7.0|22.6| 8.6 |source=[http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/palam2.htm IMD] |float=right |clear=none }} The '''climate of [[Delhi]]''' is a monsoon-influenced [[humid subtropical]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cwa'') with high variation between summer and winter temperatures and precipitation. Delhi's version of a humid subtropical climate is markedly different from many other humid subtropical cities such as [[Sao Paulo]], [[Tokyo]] and [[Brisbane]] in that the city features [[dust storms]] (something more commonly seen in a [[desert climate]]), has relatively dry winters and has a prolonged spell of very hot weather. Summers start in early April and peak in May, with average temperatures near 32&nbsp;°C (90&nbsp;°F), although occasional heat waves can result in highs close to 45&nbsp;°C (114&nbsp;°F) on some days. The monsoon starts in late June and lasts until mid-September, with about 797.3&nbsp;mm (31.5&nbsp;inches)<ref name=ecosurv1>{{cite web | url = http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/newdelhi1.htm | title = Climatological Table | accessdate = 2009-05-13 | publisher = Indian Meteorological Department }}</ref> of rain. The average temperatures are around 29&nbsp;°C (85&nbsp;°F), although they can vary from around 25&nbsp;°C (78&nbsp;°F) on rainy days to 32&nbsp;°C (90&nbsp;°F) during dry spells. The monsoons recede in late September, and the post-monsoon season continues till late October, with average temperatures sliding from 29&nbsp;°C (85&nbsp;°F) to 21&nbsp;°C (71&nbsp;°F). Winter starts in November and peaks in January, with average temperatures around 12–13&nbsp;°C (54–55&nbsp;°F). Although winters are generally mild, Delhi's proximity to the [[Himalaya]]s results in cold waves. Delhi is notorious for its heavy fogs during the winter season. In December, reduced visibility leads to disruption of road, air and rail traffic.<ref name=Fog>{{cite news | publisher=The Hindu| url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/07/stories/2005010719480300.htm| title=Fog continues to disrupt flights, trains| date=2006-01-07| accessdate=2006-05-16 }}</ref> They end in early February, and are followed by a short spring hill the onset of the summer. Extreme temperatures have ranged from &minus;2.2&nbsp;°C (28.04.9&nbsp;°F)<ref>{{cite web|title=Ever Recorded Highest Maximum Temperature, Lowest Minimum Temperature and 24 Hours Heaviest Rainfall upto 1990|url=http://www.imdpune.gov.in/Temp_Extremes/histext1990.pdf|publisher=Indian Met Department, Pune}}</ref> to 49&nbsp;°C (120&nbsp;°F).<ref name=coldDelhi>{{cite news| publisher=Hindustan Times| url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1593200,000600010001.htm| title=At 0.2 degrees Celsius, Delhi gets its coldest day| date=2006-01-08| accessdate=2006-04-29}}</ref> recorded on June 9, 2007 during the hottest summer ever experienced by the city.<ref>http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/VIDP/2007/6/9/DailyHistory.html</ref> ==Seasons== Delhi lies in the landlocked [[Indo-Gangetic Plain|Northern Plains]] of the [[Indian Subcontinent]]. Its climate is greatly influenced by its proximity to the [[Himalayas]] and the [[Thar Desert]], causing it to experience both weather extremes. Delhi has 5 distinct seasons, viz. Summer, Rainy, Autumn, Winter and Spring.<ref name="Seasons of Delhi">[http://www.delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/aboutus/seasons_of_delhi.jsp]</ref> Broadly speaking, Delhi has long and scorching summers- sub-divided into summer and monsoon seasons, short and biting winters, and two bouts of pleasant transition seasons. ===Summer=== Summer begins in early April and continues till the end of June, with the heat peaking in May. It is characterized by extreme heat due to overhead sun, low humidity, very hot winds and at times thunderstorms. Delhi's proximity to the [[Thar Desert]] results in hot, dry West-Southerly winds, called [[loo (wind)|loo]] blowing across, making the days feel hotter. May is Delhi's hottest month during which temperatures may reach 45°C or higher.<ref name="Weather in May in Delhi">[http://weatherspark.com/averages/33934/5/New-Delhi-India]</ref> This month is characterized by frequent [[thunderstorms]].<ref name=NDTV news on Delhi's thunderstorm>[http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/thunderstorm-cools-delhi-after-scorching-heat-210035]</ref> [[Dust storms]] are an infrequent feature of Delhi's summer.<ref name="A news mentioning Dust Storm in Delhi">[http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/dust-storm-light-rain-in-parts-of-delhi-lead-2_100617491.html]</ref><ref name=The Tribune's news featuring Delhi's Dust Storm>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120513/delhi.htm]</ref> These are caused due to fine dust brought along by the hot winds arriving from the desert. They make the surroundings appear pale yellow, bring temperatures slightly down and are usually followed by [[thunderstorms]]. Post mid-June, temperatures start falling slowly, while humidity shows a gradual rise. A visual characteristic of summer in Delhi is the blooming [[Cassia fistula|Amaltas]] trees, which look spectacular when in full bloom during peak summer in May.<ref name="Amaltas bloom in Delhi during May">[http://www.thedelhiwalla.com/2010/05/11/city-season-%E2%80%93-amaltas-tree-hauz-khas-village/]</ref> ===Monsoon=== [[Monsoon]] winds arrive in Delhi by either the end of June or the first week of July.<ref name="Seasons of Delhi"/> The arrival of moisture laden South-Western winds, traveling from the Arabian Sea marks the onset of Rainy season in Delhi. This season is marked by high levels of humidity and high heat. Day temperatures drop below 40°C as humidity suddenly soars.<ref name="Weather in July in Delhi">[http://weatherspark.com/averages/33934/7/New-Delhi-India]</ref> July is marked by high heat and relatively less precipitation. This transition from scorching to sweltering heat between June and July makes the latter feel very uncomfortable. August is Delhi's wettest month. The heat is considerably reduced and it is relatively cooler for most part of the month. There is dense cloud formation in the sky and at least a week of distinct, very heavy rainfall.<ref name="Weather in August in Delhi">[http://weatherspark.com/averages/33934/8/New-Delhi-India]</ref> By September, the amount and frequency of precipitation drops, though humidity remains high.<ref name="Weather in September in Delhi">[http://weatherspark.com/averages/33934/9/New-Delhi-India]</ref> Towards the end of September, moisture content in the air begins to fall and monsoon ends by early October. ===Autumn=== The end of monsoon marks the arrival of a transition season. Autumn arrives by early or mid October, and is marked by very dry ambiance, warm days and pleasant nights. Maximum temperatures drop below 30°C by late October and there is a gradual fall in average temperature. Minimum temperature drops below 20°C.<ref name="Weather in Delhi in November">[http://weatherspark.com/averages/33934/11/New-Delhi-India]</ref> During Autumn, the wind direction begins changing from South-Westerly to North-Westerly. This season ends by early December. ===Winter=== Winter arrives in Delhi in late November or early December. Minimum temperatures gradually enter single digits by this time of the year, while days are pleasant. Though usually not cold initially, December suddenly becomes cold in the latter half, as chilly north-western winds from the [[Himalayas]] begin sweeping the [[Indo-Gangetic Plain|Northern Plains]]. By early January, when winter peaks in Delhi, the minimum temperatures plunge to the vicinity of 0°C,<ref name="1.9°C on a day in 2013">[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/delhi-shivers-at-19-degrees-celsius/article4281551.ece]</ref> though rarely entering the negative scale. Maximum temperatures, too may drop down into single digits<ref name="Maximum temperature was 9.8°C on January 2, 2013">[http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/at-9-8-degrees-celsius-wednesday-was-delhi-s-coldest-day-in-44-years-312479]</ref> and always stay under 20°C. When the minimum temperature ventures very close to the 0°C mark, Delhi witnesses [[frost]].<ref name="News on frost in Delhi in 2006">[http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-01-09/delhi/27791060_1_snow-cold-waves-chilly-morning]</ref> [[Snow]], as of now, is a practical impossibility for Delhi (and the rest of [[Indo-Gangetic Plain|Northern Plains]]) due to very dry nature of its winter which is caused because of the [[Siberian High|Siberian Anticyclone]]. Delhi's winter is marked by very dense [[fog]], which dramatically reduces visibility<ref name="An instance of dense fog in Delhi">[http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/dense-fog-shuts-delhi-airport-affects-86-flights-324996]</ref> and makes days colder by cutting off sunlight. In the opposite scenario, very cold north-westerly winds from upper reaches of Himalayas blowing across the city makes the days feel colder, despite any sunshine and the nights biting cold.<ref name="Cold wave forces schools shut in Delhi">[http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/delhi-schools-to-be-closed-till-january-12-due-to-cold-wave-312966]</ref> Post mid-January, average temperatures begin to rise very gradually, though the rise is almost contained by the cold north-western winds which result due to very heavy snowfall that occurs in the Himalayas during this part of the month.<ref name="Cold wave, slight rise in temperature on January 20, 2011">[http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Chilly-winds-continue-to-sweep-Delhi/Article1-652545.aspx]</ref> It may rain in the fag end of January and the precipitation is usually accompanied by hail,<ref name="Hailstorm in Delhi">[http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/overnight-rain-hailstorm-lash-delhi-temperature-dips-319026]</ref> resulting in slight increase in minimum temperatures due to cloud cover. Maximum temperatures again cross 20°C and days become pleasant. By mid-February or somewhat beyond, minimum temperature crosses the 10°C mark and days start getting warmer gradually, marking the end of winter. Delhi can sometimes have prolonged season of chill, extending into March. Like it had last happened in 2012, when there was chill during March<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article2981071.ece]</ref> and Spring-like conditions were prevailing during the summer month of April<ref name="coldest April in 30 years">[]http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-02/delhi/31537401_1_degrees-maximum-temperature-wds</ref>! ===Spring=== Around the middle of February, Delhi's climate sees another transition, this time from Winter to Summer. The transition weather is known as Spring and is characterized by warm days, cool nights, dry ambiance and lively natural surroundings.<ref name="Weather in Delhi in February">[http://weatherspark.com/averages/33934/2/New-Delhi-India]</ref> It is pleasant all time and there is brilliant sunshine during the day. February rains<ref name="2013 had heaviest February rains in 70 years">[http://www.rediff.com/news/report/delhi-receives-februarys-highest-rainfall-in-70-years/20130205.htm]</ref> are a characteristic of this season. These rains may be accompanied by hail and can be heavy. Average temperatures show a slow, gradual rise as the wind direction shift from North-West to South-West, thereby getting warmer. Spring ends by the latter half of March and the day temperatures well exceed 30°C by then,<ref name="Weather in Delhi in March">[http://weatherspark.com/averages/33934/3/New-Delhi-India]</ref> marking the onset of the next summer! ==Extreme Temperatures== Temperature records for Delhi exist for a period of a little over 100 years. The lowest ever temperature reading during this period is -2.2°C, recorded on January 11, 1967 at [[India Meteorological Department|Met]] Delhi Palam. And, the highest ever temperature reading during the same period is 48.4°C, again recorded at [[India Meteorological Department|Met]] Delhi Palam. {{Delhi weatherbox}} ==Weather monitoring stations== Delhi has two weathering monitoring stations, one at Safdarjung inside the main city and other at Palam on its outskirts near the [[Indira Gandhi International Airport|Airport]]. ==Notes== {{Reflist}} [[Category:Geography of Delhi]] [[Category:Climate of India]] [[Category:Climate by city|Delhi]]'