The heat wave currently searing the National Capital Region, which has sent soaring temperatures to the record books, is the longest one so far-- according to data since 1969. “I analysed data from both Sadarjung and Palam (observatories). The longest heat spell so far was for four days in June 1995. This wave has completed six days which is a new record,” RK Jenamani Director of the Meteorological Office in Palam told The Hindu.
Maximum temperatures is Safdarjung and Palam today were 45.5 and 47.6 degrees Celsius, respectively on Tuesday. These were more than six degrees above normal. The minimum temperatures for the two observatories was 28.1 and 30.3 degrees. For Palam, this too was several notches above normal.
A heat wave is a prolonged period when temperatures are more than five degrees above the normal. The normal temperature is calculated for a five day period. It is the average of temperatures for that particular period in the preceding thirty years.
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There is no respite in sight as the forecast for tomorrow is clear skies. The nearest cyclonic circulation is over Eastern Uttar Pradesh, which is too weak and too far to impact Delhi in the foreseeable future. However, meteorologists have their hopes set on a stormy weekend.
“In the next two days there may be local circulation leading to convection which can cause dust storms.” said Jenamani. Till the dust cuts out direct blazing sunlight or a cyclonic disturbance moistens Delhi's parched lips, the city's residents are going to face more power outages or fall prey to heat stroke.