North India: Clear Skies Now, Fresh Storms by Sunday

New Delhi, May 7, 2026 — After a week of erratic weather that brought unseasonable rain, hailstorms, and a welcome dip in mercury across North India, the skies have finally begun to clear. Latest satellite imagery from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows a significant reduction in cloud cover over the plains of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR. However, weather experts warn that this is merely a “lull before the next storm.” Even as the sun breaks through, a fresh Western Disturbance (WD) is already gaining momentum over the Mediterranean region and is expected to strike the Western Himalayan Region by May 10.

The Current Snapshot: Blue Skies and Rising Mercury

The satellite data as of Thursday morning paints a serene picture. The dense convective clouds that lashed the region on May 4 and 5 have moved eastward toward Bihar and West Bengal. In cities like New Delhi, Chandigarh, and Amritsar, the “Mainly Clear Sky” tag has returned to the forecast.

However, this clarity comes with a price: a rapid rise in temperature. After temperatures plummeted nearly 5°C to 7°C below normal earlier this week—with Rohtak recording a chilly 17.6°C at night—the IMD predicts a “gradual rise” in maximum temperatures.

“We expect a jump of 4°C to 6°C across the northwest plains over the next 72 hours,” says a senior IMD official. “By May 9, residents should prepare for the return of typical May heat, with some pockets in Rajasthan potentially seeing the first signs of a heatwave.”

The Incoming Threat: A Fresh Western Disturbance

The respite from the heat will be short-lived. A new Western Disturbance—a cyclonic circulation in the mid-latitude westerlies—is projected to impact the Indian subcontinent starting May 10, 2026.

Unlike the previous system, which was primarily focused on the lower plains, this fresh WD is expected to bring a more classic “mountain-to-plain” weather transition:

• The Hills: High-altitude regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are likely to see isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall and snowfall.
• The Plains: By the night of May 11, the system will trigger isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds (reaching 40–60 kmph) across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR.
• The Intensity: While it may not be as widespread as the “super-cell” witnessed earlier this week, the moisture inflow from the Arabian Sea could lead to localized thundersqualls and lightning.

Agriculture: A High-Stakes Balancing Act

For the farming community, this “clearing of skies” is a double-edged sword. Most of the Rabi (winter) crop harvesting is in its final stages, and the sudden rains of early May have already caused significant anxiety.

Advisory for Farmers

In collaboration with the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), the government has issued a series of urgent guidelines:

1. Grains and Fodder: Farmers who have already harvested wheat and barley are urged to use the current dry window (May 7–9) to move their produce to covered warehouses.
2. Sowing Delay: Those planning to sow cotton are advised to delay the process until after the incoming May 10 disturbance has passed, as heavy winds can damage young seedlings.
3. Pesticide Management: Spraying of fertilizers or pesticides should be done immediately while the winds are calm, as the window will close once again by Sunday evening.

The Climate Context: Why is May so Volatile?

The year 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more unusual weather years in recent memory. While May is traditionally the month of “Loo” (hot, dry winds), the frequency of Western Disturbances has kept the heat in check.

The IMD’s monthly outlook suggests that May 2026 will likely be cooler than average for many parts of India due to these frequent wet spells. However, there is a global shadow looming: El Niño.

“We are seeing a transition toward El Niño conditions in the Pacific,” the IMD report notes. “This often leads to suppressed monsoon rains later in the year, but in the short term, it can lead to erratic spring and summer weather patterns as the global atmosphere reshuffles itself.”

State-Wise Outlook (May 7 – May 13)

Region	Current Status	Forecast (May 10-12)
Delhi-NCR	Clear; Temp 34-36°C	Partly cloudy; Thundery development
Punjab	Sunny; Windy	Thunderstorms; Winds up to 50 kmph
Haryana	Dry; Rising heat	Yellow Alert: Thunder & Lightning
Himachal	Clear	Scattered rain and higher altitude snow
West Rajasthan	Heatwave likely (May 9)	Dust storms followed by light rain

Safety First: Managing the Transition

With “thundersqualls” and “lightning” featuring prominently in the next week’s vocabulary, residents are advised to stay updated via the Damini Lightning app and the Mausam portal.

During the predicted peak on May 11 and 12, the public is encouraged to:

• Avoid taking shelter under tall trees or near electric poles during high-speed winds.
• Secure loose outdoor objects like tin roofs or flower pots.
• Stay hydrated as the heat rises between now and the weekend.

As North India navigates this “weather yo-yo,” the next 48 hours of sunshine provide a critical window for preparation. Whether you are a farmer rushing to save your harvest or a commuter planning a weekend getaway to the hills, keep one eye on the sky—and the other on the latest satellite updates.