Delhi sees warmest Republic Day in eight years, temperatures to rise further

Republic Day parade

The National capital recorded the warmest Republic Day in eight years on Sunday, January 26, with the maximum temperature at 23.7 degrees Celsius - two degrees above normal according to the India Metrological Department (IMD). The IMD has forecasted that the mercery is expected to rise further in the city.

The capital’s warmest Republic Day before this was in 2017 when the temperature peaked at 26.1 degrees Celsius, as per figures reported in PTI.

Usually, during this time of the year the skies during Republic Day have been foggy with very less visibility. However, this time the skies were clear making the Republic Day Parade fly-past a sight to see.

Over the years, Delhi’s temperature on January 26 has varied significantly. The long-period average (LPA) maximum temperature for the day since 1991 is 22.1 degrees Celsius. However, recent years have been cooler, with temperatures of 20.6 degrees Celsius in 2024, 17.3 degrees Celsius in 2023, and 16.4 degrees Celsius in 2022, reported News18.

The weather department attributed the higher-than-usual temperatures to clear skies and dry northwesterly winds.

"Despite a recent western disturbance bringing some rain and snow to parts of northwest India, the maximum temperature in Delhi has remained relatively unaffected due to bright daytime sunshine," PTI quoted as saying vice president of private weather monitoring agency Skymet, Mahesh Palawat.

Temperatures to rise further

A fresh western disturbance is expected to impact the region starting January 28, leading to a further rise in both maximum and minimum temperatures, Palawat said.

Palawat further said that the disturbance will shift wind patterns, reduce wind speeds and bring cloud cover, which will "trap heat at night and cause night temperatures to rise".

According to the IMD, the minimum temperature could increase to 9-11 degrees Celsius by the weekend while the maximum will hover between 24-26 degrees Celsius.