Something strange happened in Delhi this May, and no, you’re not imagining it. The city, known for its blistering summer heat, just recorded its wettest May in 125 years and no heatwaves at all. You read that right. In a month usually feared for scorching temperatures and unbearable dryness, Delhi got drenched literally and stayed surprisingly cool.
From Scorching Heat to Soothing Rain
Let’s be real, when May rolls around, everyone in Delhi usually braces for impact. But May 2025 flipped the script. There was not a single heatwave day recorded. The temperature stayed below normal on most days. The average maximum temperature for the month is a mere 37.5°C, a whole 2 degrees lower than the normal 39.5°C. Even evenings were tolerable, with a low of 25.3°C on average.
The rain, though, stole the show. 188.9 mm of rainfall poured down over the city. That’s a record-breaking number, 202% above the usual average of 62.6 mm. The highest was 165 mm in 2008. This year, we went way beyond that.
When the Weather Plays Games
Delhi’s skies were moody all month. There were four major rainstorms, along with unexpected drizzle and sudden winds. The IMD issued orange and yellow alerts multiple times, but not all of them turned out right. On some days, people prepared for storms and ended up with just sticky humidity and sunburn. On other days, rain caught them by surprise.
On Friday, the forecast promised thunder and wind gusts, but Delhi got sun and sweat instead. Humidity shot up to 75%, and people were left scratching their heads, and wiping their foreheads.
A Quick Look at the Numbers
Between May 2 and May 25, official data shows rainfall on four main days. Stations like Palam and Ridge recorded rain on seven days each. Lodhi Road had four rainy days, Aya Nagar had three. In comparison, Delhi saw a mere 0.4 mm of rain in May 2024, falling short by nearly 99% of the typical amount. Talk about climate drama.
From 2011 to 2025, Delhi has seen wild temperature swings. There were six heatwave baking days during 2024, with 41.7°C temperatures. But this year? Windy, cool, and dampy.
Temporary Twist or Climate Tipping Point?
The obvious question is whether or not this was a one-off, or an indication of larger things to come. Scientists say climate change is making weather patterns more unpredictable. One year brings relentless rain, the next brings searing heat. Delhi’s May this year felt more like monsoon pre-season than summer peak.
Whatever the cause, Delhi’s summer turned upside down this year, and residents aren’t complaining. Umbrellas replaced sunglasses, and fans were quieter than usual.
One thing’s for sure: May 2025 will go down in history, not for the heat, but for the storm that cooled it all down.