North India enjoyed a brief cool respite after recent days of stormy weather that brought rain, hail and winds to various regions, including Delhi-NCR.
Those storms are now easing, with hot afternoons returning this weekend.
The question on many minds would therefore be whether more spells of cool weather are in store as summer intensifies in coming weeks.
A COLD SPELL
After days of building heat and dust storms, North India, including Delhi-NCR, received much-needed relief from heavy showers, thunderstorms, and strong winds in late April 2026.
On April 29 as well as April 30, gusty winds up to 30–70 kmph accompanied rain and even hail in parts of the capital and surrounding areas, dropping temperatures and washing away some of the oppressive heat. This change in weather was linked to a western disturbance and associated cyclonic circulation over northwest regions.
Delhi recorded a good amount of rainfall for the month, making April one of its wetter ones in recent years despite the early summer intensity.
These pre-monsoon events brought a sharp contrast after heatwave-like conditions pushed maximum temperatures high. Air quality also saw temporary improvement amid the showers.
But the relief was not delivered just in Delhi and other surrounding regions.
Similar weather activity hit other parts of the country, highlighting the volatile transition from spring to summer.
Bengaluru, for instance, also saw heavy rainfall and hailstorms, leading to relief but also waterlogged streets and the death of 7 people due to a wall collapse at a local hospital.
HOW WILL THE WEATHER BE NOW?
As a result of rain and winds, pleasant nights were felt across most of North India, easing the recent concerns of rising nighttime temperatures that usually help cool down places and people alike.
But the relief is only a guest who has arrived for a short stay.
As rainfall activities taper off, maximum temperatures are expected to climb over the weekend, from May 1 to May 3.
Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh could see highs of 39-42°C, while western Rajasthan touches up to 44°C.
Importantly, no full-blown heatwave conditions are forecast, offering some comfort compared to peak summer extremes.
Residents can expect hot afternoons but relatively comfortable mornings and evenings for now.
WHEN WILL IT RAIN AGAIN?
A new western disturbance is likely to bring limited dust storms, thunderstorms, and rains starting this coming Sunday evening, with coverage increasing significantly by Monday, May 4.
This should lead to milder temperatures early next week, providing another spell of relief similar to the recent one.
This back-and-forth weather is typical from April to May in North India, where western disturbances occasionally interrupt building heat.
Delhi-NCR saw an unusual April with a mix of extreme heat, dust, and pre-monsoon showers, including multiple thunderstorm episodes that cooled the region temporarily.
Such events underscore how pre-monsoon weather changes, fuelled by intense surface heating and atmospheric conditions, can trigger extreme local weather far from northern systems.
Overall, these fluctuations remind us of India’s diverse and dynamic climate as summer advances.
While North India braces for hotter days before possible renewed showers, monitoring updates from IMD and experts remain key for daily planning. Farmers and city dwellers alike benefit from these timely rains, even if they come with gusts and thunder.
