The weather office reported that Delhi experienced its highest night in May in nearly 14 years, with a minimum temperature of 31.9°C on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The most recent instance of a minimum temperature exceeding this level occurred on May 26, 2012, when it reached 32.5°C.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Safdarjung and Lodi Road were among the stations that recorded balmy night conditions.
According to the International Meteorological Organization (IMD), a balmy night is defined as a minimum temperature departure of 4.5°C to 6.4°C above the norm and a maximum temperature of 40°C or higher.
Ridge recorded a minimum temperature of 30.6°C, which is 4.4 notches above the season’s average, while Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 31.9°C, which is 5.2 notches above the season’s average.
Palam was 30.5°C, which is 3.4 notches above the average temperature. Lodi Road was 29.6°C, which is 4.6 notches above the average temperature. Ayanagar was 27.4°C, which is 0.7 notches above the average temperature.
The IMD has predicted heatwave conditions during the day, and the city has been placed under an orange alert as the maximum temperature is anticipated to reach 46°C.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality was classified as “moderate” at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2026, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 153.
The CPCB defines ‘good’ as an AQI between zero and 50,’satisfactory’ as 51 to 100,’moderate’ as 101 to 200, ‘poor’ as 201 to 300,’very poor’ as 301 to 400, and’severe’ as 401-504.
