New Delhi, May 14, 2025 — A surprise thunderstorm, accompanied by rain and gusty winds of up to 60 kmph, hit Delhi late Tuesday afternoon, defying the India Meteorological Department (IMD)‘s forecast for a hot and dry day. The sudden weather change caught residents off guard and added to the growing rainfall total for May, which has now reached 90.8mm — nearly three times the long-period average of 30.7mm.
IMD Forecast Misses Again
According to IMD’s forecast issued earlier that day, Delhi was expected to see “dry weather with surface winds up to 20kmph.” However, around 3pm, thunderclouds began forming, leading to short but intense spells of rainfall and winds peaking at 60kmph between 3:30pm and 5pm.
This marks the second major inaccuracy by IMD this month. On May 2, IMD had predicted light rain, yet the city recorded 77mm — the second-highest single-day rainfall for the month in history.
Rainfall Stats & Local Impact
- Safdarjung: 0.2mm
- Palam: 5.6mm
- Ridge: 2mm
- Pitampura: 4mm
- Rajghat: 0.1mm
- Ayanagar & Lodhi Road: Trace rainfall
This spell led to minor waterlogging in some areas but provided welcome relief from the oppressive afternoon heat. The maximum temperature touched 40.2°C, one degree below normal, while the minimum was 27.7°C — two degrees above average.
What Caused the Thunderstorm?
An IMD official attributed the event to “convective rain”, which typically occurs when high temperatures meet sudden moisture, resulting in rapid cloud buildup and brief but intense showers. “Forecasting such phenomena remains immensely tricky,” the official admitted.
Forecast for Wednesday: Dry Again
Despite the storm, IMD predicts no rain for Wednesday. Delhi is expected to experience partly cloudy skies with surface winds between 15–25kmph and occasional gusts up to 35kmph. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 39–41°C.
Air Quality Sees Brief Improvement
The storm had a silver lining — improved air quality. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 141 (“moderate”) from 162 a day earlier, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). IMD’s early warning system expects the AQI to remain “moderate” until Friday.
Conclusion: A Month of Weather Surprises
With May typically being Delhi’s hottest and driest month, this year’s weather has proven highly unusual. Already, rainfall is 3x the normal levels, and IMD’s forecasting challenges are back in focus. While Wednesday may be dry, Delhiites are advised to stay weather-aware — and perhaps carry an umbrella, just in case.
Also Read: Delhi Air Quality Tracker 2025
Short URL: https://bit.ly/DelhiStormMay14
