Winter is waving goodbye in India’s capital Delhi, where scorching afternoon sun and rising mercury are giving residents a taste of summer heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts Delhi’s minimum temperature at 14°C and maximum at 31°C on Thursday. Over the next week, daytime highs could climb another 1-2°C, with clear skies ensuring intense sunshine and no rain in sight.
While plains bake, the hills are bracing for a chill. Western disturbances will trigger light rain and snowfall in Jammu & Kashmir on February 26-27, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on February 27-28. Punjab may wake up to dense morning fog on the 26th.
Rajasthan is already feeling the heatwave pinch. Barmer clocked a blistering 36.3°C maximum, while Lunkaransar shivered at a low of 10.5°C minimum. Jaipur’s weather center warns of persistent dry, hot conditions ahead. Cities like Ajmer, Alwar, Jaipur, Pilani, Jodhpur, Phalodi, Bikaner, and Churu are all seeing daytime temperatures soar past 30°C.
Southward, Karnataka and Telangana could see scattered showers on February 26, alongside Andaman & Nicobar Islands facing thunderstorms with winds gusting 30-40 km/h. Across northwest and central India’s plains, maximums are set to rise 2-3°C over seven days. Maharashtra and eastern regions will follow suit after initial days.
In a dramatic contrast, heavy snowfall near Tsomgo Lake in East Sikkim stranded over 2,700 tourists in 541 vehicles, blocking roads. Authorities swiftly cleared ice in Sherathang and surrounding high areas, safely evacuating everyone. This mix of heat and snow underscores India’s diverse weather patterns as February transitions.