Heat to ease in Delhi, eastern India to face heat wave conditions this week

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

The brutal, dangerous heat wave that gripped much of northwest India in recent weeks will ease this week for New Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

Temperatures will peak between 38 and 40 C (100-104 F) each day this week across the NCR.

These numbers are more typical for mid-May and will be a reprieve from the recent 43 C (110 F)-plus heat that the region has endured.

Along with the lowering of daily high temperatures, spotty cooling thunderstorms will develop across northwest India as well.

"There will be a series of disturbances tracking across northwest India through the week that bring the threat of lightning, downpours and even dust storms as turbulent thunderstorms produce pockets of strong wind," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk.

The storms will be isolated in coverage, so not all areas will see rainfall. Areas that do see a thunderstorm will get a more significant break from the heat as temperatures can fall below 32 C (90 F) during and for a few hours following any rainfall.

"The air quality can also temporarily improve as well following any rainfall," Houk said.

A girl splashes water on her face in the Arabian sea in Mumbai, capital of the western Indian state of Maharashtra, Thursday, March 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

While northwest India will get a break from the dangerous heat, eastern India will not be so fortunate.

Temperatures soared to over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in some spots across eastern India last week, and similar temperatures are expected to occur this week.

Locations that will endure dangerous heat this week include Chennai, Guntar, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Patna, Kolkata and Ranchi.

The heat turned deadly with at least three fatalities from sunstroke reported in Andhra Pradesh, according to OneIndia.

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Drinking plenty of water, spending time in the shade and wearing light clothing will continue to be necessary. When possible, strenuous outdoor activity should be avoided during the hottest part of the day.

Poor air quality will also be a concern for areas that endure the heat and continued dry weather this week.

No lasting relief from the heat is expected across eastern India into late May with monsoon rains still weeks away.

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