Monsoon Hotter Than Summer, Worse This Year As Average Temperatures Recorded: Study

Study on Monsoon-Summer Season by CST

Studies conducted by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) indicate that monsoon season temperatures have become warmer than summer temperatures in recent years.

Rainy Summer

Typically, rainy summer seasons offer respite from heat. Unfortunately, temperatures have only continued to increase since June this year. When compared with 1950-1980 national average temperatures between March and May this year were found to be 0.3 degree Celsius higher; pre-monsoon season broke record of 2016 as second warmest in country; post monsoon temperatures continued rising rapidly until post monsoon season as revealed by Urban Lab of CSE analysis.

Delhi Surface Temperature

According to this research, Delhi’s surface temperature is now higher than it has been since 2010. CSE conducted analyses on three parameters – air temperature, surface temperature and relative humidity index temperature – to gain more insight into warming trends in Delhi. Air temperature in Delhi had increased 1.77 degrees Celsius since 2010, while surface temperatures rose 1.95 Celsius higher.

Temperature Exceeding 40 Degrees Celsius

CSE analysis found that Delhi experienced daily temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during June 2022. March and April saw normal conditions, but by May humidity began increasing due to rainfall in certain locations resulting in the city’s heat index rising further and making people uncomfortable due to an increase in temperature.

CSE survey data also uncovered that on May 16, 2020 in the city, 53.9 degrees Celsius was recorded; maximum temperature reached 51.8 in May 2022; previously maximum surface temperatures had reached around 45 degrees.