Delhi just wrapped up a March like no other in recent memory. Rain one day, heat the next — and now an orange alert for thunderstorms and 60 km/h winds to close out the month. Here is the full picture.
The Big Stat — Delhi’s Wettest March in 3 Years
Rainfall in March 2026 was recorded at 19.82 mm, making it the highest for the month since 2023, when rainfall was significantly higher at 50.4 mm, while rainfall in 2024 and 2025 remained lower than 2026 levels.
The India Meteorological Department said six western disturbances affected northwest India between March 11 and 31, leading to thunderstorms and rainfall activity.
Six western disturbances in just 20 days — that is an unusually high count that directly explains why Delhi’s skies stayed so unsettled through the second half of March.
March 31 — Orange Alert Day
An orange weather warning has been issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for all districts of the national capital on Tuesday afternoon, March 31.
Light rain and drizzle were reported across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad on March 31, along with thunderstorms and lightning, bringing temporary relief from rising temperatures. Daytime temperatures stayed around 30–33°C, slightly above normal for March, though rainfall and winds caused brief cooling.
The IMD predicted violent thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, gusty winds and cloudy conditions across Delhi-NCR and parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan on March 31.
An orange alert — defined as “be prepared” for severe weather — means residents and commuters should expect:
- Thunderstorms and lightning
- Gusty winds up to 60 km/h
- Light to moderate rain
- Possible traffic disruption
- Flight delays at IGI Airport
Station-Wise Rainfall Data — How Much Did Different Parts of Delhi Get?
On Friday morning, rainfall was recorded at multiple weather stations across the national capital. Safdarjung and Lodhi Road both recorded 8.2 mm of rainfall, while Ridge reported 8.6 mm. Palam received 6.2 mm, and Ayanagar recorded 7.2 mm of rainfall.
| Weather Station | Rainfall Recorded |
| Safdarjung | 8.2 mm |
| Lodhi Road | 8.2 mm |
| Ridge | 8.6 mm |
| Palam | 6.2 mm |
| Ayanagar | 7.2 mm |
A similar rainy condition was witnessed on Thursday when gusty winds swept the national capital, sending the day temperature dipping sharply — the maximum temperature settled at 26.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest so far this month.
Temperature Rollercoaster — From 26°C to 33°C in Days
The persistent cloud cover and intermittent rainfall brought relief to the city, which had been sweltering in warmer conditions for days.
Daytime temperatures in Delhi stayed around 30–33°C by March end, slightly above normal for the season, though rainfall and winds caused brief cooling spells and more comfortable conditions.
IMD forecast for Delhi on March 31 showed a partly cloudy sky becoming generally cloudy towards the afternoon, with a spell of very light rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong surface winds at 20–30 kmph gusting to 40 kmph.
The Pollution Paradox — Wettest March But Most Polluted in 4 Years
Here is the most surprising finding of the month — all that rain didn’t actually clean Delhi’s air.
Delhi recorded its most polluted March in four years in 2026, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 181 till March 30, the highest since 2022, when it stood at 217. In comparison, the average AQI reading was 170 in 2023, 176 in 2024 and 170 in 2025.
In March 2026, Delhi recorded one ‘satisfactory’ day, 22 ‘moderate’ days and eight ‘poor’ days.
Why was pollution so high despite heavy rain? The answer lies in what the rain couldn’t wash away.
Experts noted a shift in the nature of pollution this month, with gaseous pollutants playing a more prominent role. Ozone emerged as the prominent pollutant for 16 days during the month. There were also higher concentrations of gaseous pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide compared to March in previous years.
Delhi’s air quality showed slight improvement following the rainfall, with the AQI remaining in the ‘moderate’ category at most monitoring stations across the city.
Rain clears particulate matter like PM2.5 and PM10 — but ozone and nitrogen dioxide are gaseous and don’t get washed out by showers. That’s the pollution paradox of March 2026.
Delhi’s March 2026 — Three Records in One Month
Rain on one day, heat on another, and pollution remaining elevated throughout — Delhi recorded its most polluted March in four years, its wettest in three years and its hottest since 2022.
| Record | March 2026 | Last Time This High |
| Rainfall | 19.82 mm | 2023 (50.4 mm) |
| Average AQI | 181 | 2022 (217) |
| Hottest day | 32.8°C (March 31) | 2022 |
What’s Next? — April 2026 Weather Forecast for Delhi
Similar conditions are likely to continue, with light rain expected in patches between April 2 and 4. Thunderstorms are likely between April 6 and 8, which may prevent heatwave conditions in the early part of the month.
IMD has predicted continued thunderstorm activity across Delhi-NCR and parts of North India driven by western disturbances staying active through early April.
Forecast Summary for Early April 2026:
| Date | Expected Weather |
| April 1–2 | Partly to mostly cloudy, light rain possible |
| April 2–4 | Light rain in patches |
| April 6–8 | Thunderstorms likely — heatwave risk reduced |
| Post April 8 | Temperatures likely to rise as disturbances weaken |
IMD Safety Tips — What To Do During Thunderstorms in Delhi
With orange and yellow alerts still active, here’s what IMD and authorities advise:
- Stay indoors during active thunderstorm warnings
- Avoid open areas and large trees during lightning activity
- Slow down on wet roads — hydroplaning risk increases with gusty winds
- Follow IMD’s weather app (Mausam App) for real-time alerts
- Farmers in Delhi-NCR — protect crops and harvest from sudden storms
- Travellers — check flight status before heading to IGI Airport on alert days
Delhi March 2026 Weather — FAQs
Q. Was March 2026 the wettest March for Delhi ever?
No — the wettest was 2023 with 50.4 mm. But March 2026’s 19.82 mm made it the wettest in 3 years, since 2024 and 2025 saw lower rainfall.
Q. Why was Delhi’s AQI high despite so much rain?
Rain clears solid particles but not gaseous pollutants like ozone, CO and nitrogen dioxide. Ozone was the dominant pollutant for 16 out of 30 days in March 2026.
Q. What caused so much rain in Delhi this March?
Six western disturbances affected northwest India between March 11 and 31 — an unusually high frequency that drove repeated spells of rain and thunderstorms.
Q. Will it rain in Delhi in April 2026?
Yes — light rain is expected between April 2–4 and thunderstorms between April 6–8, which should delay typical summer heatwave conditions.
Q. What does an IMD Orange Alert mean?
Orange Alert means “be prepared” for severe weather conditions that could disrupt daily life including transport, outdoor activities and power supply.
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