42 Degrees At 6 PM! Why Is North India Reeling Under Intense Heat And How Long Will It Last?

42 Degrees At 6 PM! Why Is North India Reeling Under Intense Heat And How Long Will It Last? Written By, Last Updated: May 20, 2026, 10:12 IST Meteorologists say one of the biggest reasons behind the ongoing heatwave is the formation of a large zone of dry, sinking air over northwest India. Rapid Read Heatwave in North India. (Image: PTI) At 6 pm on Tuesday, Gurugram was still sweltering at 42 degrees Celsius. Across several parts of Delhi-NCR, stepping outdoors in the evening felt no different from walking into peak afternoon heat. Roads continued radiating warmth hours after sunset, hot winds swept through neighbourhoods, and air-conditioners struggled to keep homes bearable. For many residents, the most alarming part, more than the daytime temperature, was the fact that the heat refused to ease even after sunset. North India is currently in the grip of an intense and prolonged heatwave, with temperatures soaring close to 45–46°C in parts of Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave and severe heatwave warnings for multiple states, warning that the punishing conditions are likely to continue for several more days. Why is the heat becoming this severe, and when can North India expect relief? Giant ‘Heat Dome’ Over North India Meteorologists say one of the biggest reasons behind the ongoing heatwave is the formation of a large zone of dry, sinking air over northwest India. This acts like a giant atmospheric lid, trapping heat close to the ground while preventing cloud formation. With clear skies and uninterrupted sunshine throughout the day, land surfaces heat up rapidly and continue releasing that stored heat well into the evening. That is why cities like Gurugram and Delhi remained unbearably hot even at 6 pm. The Return Of Loo The notorious loo winds have also intensified across north India. These are extremely hot and dry winds that travel from Rajasthan and adjoining Pakistan into Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh during the summer months. Since the air carries very little moisture, temperatures rise sharply through the afternoon and evening hours. Strong surface winds sweeping across the plains have further worsened the dry heat conditions this week. Why Are Nights Becoming So Warm? What is making this heatwave especially dangerous is the lack of nighttime cooling. Normally, temperatures begin dropping significantly after sunset. But this time, nights are remaining unusually warm, leaving people with little relief after enduring scorching afternoons. Urban areas like Gurugram and Delhi are particularly vulnerable because of the “urban heat island" effect. Concrete buildings, asphalt roads, glass structures and shrinking green cover absorb heat throughout the day and slowly release it at night. In simple terms, cities are storing heat like giant ovens. This is also why many people feel exhausted even indoors despite using coolers or air-conditioners. Missing Rain Systems Have Made Matters Worse North India usually gets occasional relief in May through western disturbances — weather systems originating near the Mediterranean region that bring clouds, rain and thunderstorms. This year, however, those systems have either remained weak or passed too quickly to provide lasting cooling. Brief spells of rain earlier in May were followed almost immediately by a sharp rise in temperatures once the skies cleared again. The absence of sustained cloud cover has allowed temperatures to climb rapidly across the region. Is Climate Change Playing A Role? Scientists say climate change is real. Heatwaves in India are becoming longer, more frequent and more intense due to climate change. Rising global temperatures are increasing the likelihood of prolonged extreme heat events, especially across urban regions. Weather experts are also watching the possible development of El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, which are often associated with hotter summers and weaker monsoon rainfall in India. The combination of climate change, rapid urbanisation and changing weather patterns is making extreme heat more dangerous than before. How Long Will This Heatwave Continue? According to the IMD, severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist across Delhi-NCR and adjoining states until at least May 24–25. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain around 44°C to 46°C in several parts of northwest India over the coming days. There could be temporary relief towards the end of May if another western disturbance brings thunderstorms or dust storms to North India. Pre-monsoon activity is also expected to gradually increase. However, that does not mean summer is ending any time soon. While the southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala earlier than usual around May 26, North India typically receives monsoon rains only in late June. Until then, the region is likely to continue facing repeated spells of intense heat. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A