The weather has finally brought significant relief to Chandigarh residents who were grappling with scorching heat and heatwave conditions. Rain accompanied by strong winds late Thursday night completely transformed the weather. Intermittent rain continued into Friday morning, keeping the entire city cool. Although the sun came out in the afternoon, temperatures remained well below normal levels. According to the Meteorological Department, Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 33.5°C on Friday—5 degrees below normal. Notably, the maximum temperature just a day earlier had been 42°C; this represents a drop of approximately 8.5°C within just 24 hours, offering people major respite from the intense heat and heatwave.
Alert for Rain and Strong Winds Until Saturday
The Meteorological Department has forecast partly cloudy skies and the likelihood of thunderstorms accompanied by rain in several areas on Saturday. Strong winds blowing at speeds of 40 to 50 km/h are also expected during this period. An alert regarding thunderstorms and strong winds has been issued for Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh through Saturday. However, the weather is expected to clear up after June 15.
Increased Humidity, Yet Reduced Heat Impact
Atmospheric humidity rose following the rain. On Friday, maximum and minimum relative humidity levels of 90% and 45%, respectively, were recorded. Despite the high humidity, the drop in temperature meant people did not experience the same intensity of heat as before. For several days prior, temperatures in the Tricity had remained above 40°C, with residents troubled by harsh sunlight and hot winds. Rainfall triggered by a Western Disturbance completely altered the weather conditions.
30.3 mm of Rainfall Since June 1
According to the Meteorological Department, Chandigarh has recorded 30.3 mm of rainfall since June 1. Temperatures are expected to range between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius in the coming days. Intermittent cloud cover and light rainfall are likely to provide some relief from the intense heat for the time being.
