Several northern Indian states are experiencing a consistent rise in temperatures, with the national capital witnessing an unusual early-March heat spike. On Saturday, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 35.7 degrees Celsius, marking the highest reading registered during the first week of March in the past five decades, according to an official from the India Meteorological Department.
Historical weather records indicate that the previous highest maximum temperature for the first seven days of March at Safdarjung Observatory—Delhi’s base weather station—was 34.8 degrees Celsius, recorded on March 5, 1999. With the mercury climbing to 35.7 degrees Celsius this year, the day now stands as the hottest early-March day in a 50-year period, officials confirmed.
Data maintained by the meteorological department since 2011 shows that the second-highest temperature recorded during the first week of March occurred in 2016, when the maximum settled at 33.6 degrees Celsius on March 4. The latest reading significantly exceeds that benchmark.
On Saturday, the Safdarjung station registered a maximum temperature of 35.7 degrees Celsius, which was 7.3 degrees above the seasonal normal. The minimum temperature stood at 17.4 degrees Celsius, 3.4 degrees higher than usual for this time of year.
Neighbouring Haryana also recorded notably high temperatures, with the state’s average maximum temperature remaining 6.2 degrees Celsius above normal. Hisar emerged as the hottest location in the state, recording a maximum temperature of 36.3 degrees Celsius.
Uttarakhand has likewise seen a steady warming trend across several districts, including Dehradun. Official data shows that the city’s minimum temperature rose sharply over the past few days, climbing from 12 degrees Celsius to 17.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday, which is six degrees above normal. Maximum temperatures have remained in the range of 30 to 31 degrees Celsius over the past two to three days, with Saturday’s maximum touching 31.5 degrees Celsius—five degrees above the seasonal average.
According to the Meteorological Centre in Dehradun, both plains and hilly regions of Uttarakhand recorded significantly above-normal maximum temperatures during the previous 24-hour period, indicating a broader regional warming pattern.
In Jammu and Kashmir, most areas continued to experience higher-than-normal temperatures, although daytime readings showed a noticeable decline compared to the previous day, according to meteorological officials. Weather conditions are expected to shift soon, as forecasts indicate a spell of wet weather between March 10 and 12 due to an approaching western disturbance.
Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 19.1 degrees Celsius, which were 4.6 and 5.6 degrees above normal, respectively. A day earlier, the city had registered an even higher maximum of 31.8 degrees Celsius while the minimum remained unchanged.
Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, recorded a maximum temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 17.8 degrees Celsius, both several degrees above normal for the season.
Himachal Pradesh also continued to record rising temperatures across multiple districts. The Shimla Meteorological Office has forecast heatwave conditions in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Solan districts. On Saturday, heatwave conditions were reported in Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Solan, and Dharamshala.
Una recorded the highest daytime temperature in the state at 32.8 degrees Celsius, while Tabo remained the coldest location overnight with a minimum temperature of 1.8 degrees Celsius.
