READ THIS U WILL BE SHOCKED...............
Even as early as 5.30 in the morning, Delhiites woke up to an oppressive 34.2 degrees Celsius on Friday. For the past few days, Delhiites have been particularly feeling the heat with the gap between minimum and maximum temperatures diminishing steadily.
Beating Thursday's record of 32.8 degrees Celsius, Friday recorded the season's highest minimum temperature at 33.5 degrees Celsius. Talk of cool summer nights and pleasant summer mornings are passe. As there has not been much of a difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures in the past couple of days, the days ? and nights ? have been consistently hot.
Believe it or not, but the temperature was 34.2 degrees Celsius as early as 5.30 am on Friday, which climbed to 36 degrees Celsius by 8.30 am. The season's highest minimum temperature of 33.5 degrees Celsius ? over five degrees above normal ? was recorded between these two recordings.
"If maximum temperature peaks to 45 degrees and falls by 15 degrees at night, this at least ensures cool nights. However, high minimum temperatures reduce the gap between maximum and minimum temperatures, known as diurnal range. This means that one has to endure the heat for longer periods," said a Safdarjung Met official.
The all-time highest minimum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius was recorded on June 7, 2003. The average minimum temperature for the month of June was, however, 28.3 degrees Celsius.
So what makes the minimum temperature rise? The maximum temperature of the previous day is the first factor. Says B P Yadav, director, India Meterological Department (IMD): " If the maximum temperature is high in the evening then the minimum temperature is likely to be high next morning."
Apart from this, the cloud cover in the previous evening, dust and humidity also play a crucial role in pushing the minimum temperature upwards, as they all trap the heat and prevent it from escaping at night. Thus, the frequency of dust storms in Delhi may lead to high minimum temperatures.
But it is difficult to say whether temperature patterns in the Capital have indeed changed. As Safdarjung Met director S C Bhan says: "Delhi is certainly witnessing temperature changes, which are part of global weather changes. However, these changes take time to manifest. For instance, the average minimum temperature for June in 1901 was 30.8 degrees Celsius, whereas the average minimum temperature for June this year is 28.3 degrees Celsius. So, it's best not to jump to any conclusions."
The highest minimum temperature on Friday was a result of the high 42.5 degree Celsius maximum temperature recorded on Thursday. By that logic an even higher maximum temperature of 43.5 degrees Celsius recorded on Friday could very well mean a much higher minimum temperature on Saturday.