Key Highlights

  • Delhi-NCR to see partly cloudy skies with rain and thundershowers likely on Tuesday.
  • Delhi may record a minimum of 26°C and a maximum of nearly 34°C.
  • More widespread rainfall expected across Delhi-NCR on September 2.
  • Very heavy rainfall forecast in parts of Chhattisgarh, East MP, Odisha and Uttarakhand.
  • Delhi-NCR AQI remained in the 'moderate' category, with Wazirpur recording the highest at 225.

Delhi-NCR is heading into a wetter stretch of weather. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast partly cloudy skies with chances of rain and thundershowers across the region on Tuesday, with weather activity expected to pick up especially through the afternoon and evening hours. Along with the changing weather, the region's air quality has held in the 'moderate' category — offering residents a slightly better breathing environment than in previous weeks.

The Turn Toward Rainier Days

According to IMD, the regional weather is likely to turn wetter from Tuesday onwards, with intermittent showers expected to continue over the next few days. The forecast indicates one or two spells of rain or thundershowers across the national capital and adjoining areas.

For a region moving into September — traditionally a month that sees the tail end of the monsoon — these showers offer both a welcome cool-down and a small boost to overall seasonal rainfall.

Delhi's Weather Snapshot

Delhi is expected to record a minimum temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius and a maximum of nearly 34 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. While the morning may remain partly cloudy, the possibility of rain and thunderstorms is expected to increase as the day progresses.

More widespread rainfall is likely across Delhi-NCR on September 2 — a signal that residents should keep umbrellas handy and factor in potential traffic slowdowns as the mid-week begins.

The NCR City-by-City Picture

In Noida, partly cloudy conditions are expected to prevail, with rain likely later in the day. Temperatures may hover between 25 and 34 degrees Celsius. The IMD has also forecast increased chances of rain and thundershowers in the coming days.

Gurugram is likely to witness a mix of sunny spells and clouds on Tuesday, with the maximum temperature expected to touch around 34 degrees Celsius. The possibility of rainfall is likely to rise from September 2 onwards.

Ghaziabad may begin the day with partly sunny conditions before cloud cover increases through the afternoon. Light rain is possible in the second half of the day, while temperatures are expected to remain between 26 and 35 degrees Celsius. No specific weather warning has been issued for the city.

Faridabad is also likely to remain partly cloudy and warm, with thunderstorms possible during the afternoon. The minimum temperature is expected to be around 28 degrees Celsius, while the maximum may reach 37 degrees Celsius. No warning has been issued for the area.

Together, that combined picture points to a familiar late-monsoon pattern — warm mornings, building cloud cover through the day, and afternoon or evening showers arriving intermittently across the NCR.

Wider National Rain Picture

Beyond Delhi-NCR, the IMD's national outlook is significantly more intense in some regions. Very heavy rainfall has been forecast in parts of Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Uttarakhand on Tuesday. Isolated spells of intense rain are also likely over Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Those regions will need to remain on higher alert, particularly for waterlogging, landslides in hill areas, and river-level fluctuations in flood-vulnerable districts.

Delhi-NCR Air Quality: In the 'Moderate' Range

On the air quality front, Delhi-NCR remained in the 'moderate' category on Tuesday morning — a category that is neither severely polluted nor entirely clean, but a meaningful improvement over the more difficult air quality days that the capital region often experiences later in the year.

Monitoring stations across Delhi recorded the following AQI readings — 148 at CRRI Mathura Road, 112 at Burari Crossing, 126 at North Campus, DU, 101 at Pusa, 114 at Shadipur, 98 at DTU, 102 at Mandir Marg, 126 at R.K. Puram, 182 at Dwarka Sector 8, 135 at Jahangirpuri, 149 at Rohini, 117 at Patparganj, 225 at Wazirpur, 99 at Bawana, 147 at IIT Delhi, 97 at JNU, 56 in the Cantonment Area and 90 at Talkatora Garden.

Wazirpur emerged as the station with the highest recorded AQI at 225 — the only reading in the 'poor' category. The Cantonment Area, at 56, was the cleanest station of the morning, reflecting the significant variation in air quality that exists even within a single metropolitan region.

Why It Matters

Weather updates in Delhi-NCR carry unusually direct relevance to daily life for the region's residents. Rain and thundershower activity means traffic slowdowns, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and disruptions to outdoor plans. Higher air quality readings, especially in the 'poor' bucket, mean vulnerable residents — children, senior citizens and those with respiratory conditions — may need to take precautions.

By publishing city-specific forecasts alongside AQI monitoring data, the IMD's regular updates enable residents to plan their day more effectively — from commute choices to outdoor activity planning to home ventilation decisions.

Precautions for Residents

For residents heading out on Tuesday, some basic precautions are advisable. Carry an umbrella or raincoat. Plan for possible traffic delays during the afternoon and evening. If travelling in areas known for waterlogging, allow extra time. And for those living or working near Wazirpur — the only recorded 'poor' AQI station of the morning — consider limiting outdoor exposure or wearing a mask if particularly sensitive to air pollution.

The Bigger Weather Picture

As September begins, the country enters an important transitional phase — one where the southwest monsoon begins to retreat and pre-winter weather patterns start to take shape. For Delhi-NCR specifically, the coming weeks will be closely watched for continued rainfall activity, changes in humidity, and gradual shifts in air quality.

For now, the message from Tuesday's IMD outlook is simple. Expect a wetter, cloudier week ahead. Watch for rain-driven traffic and infrastructure disruptions. Enjoy the cooler temperatures where possible. And keep a periodic eye on local AQI updates, especially as the season transitions into the post-monsoon period when air quality typically requires closer attention.

As Delhi-NCR steps into September, the sky above the capital is doing exactly what a healthy monsoon does — reminding the region that rain, however inconvenient at times, is still one of the most important gifts the season brings.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR Faces Cloudy Skies, Rain; Air Quality Poor