NEW DELHI, INDIA – October 4, 2025 – The Capital is bracing for light rainfall on Sunday (October 5) followed by two days of heavier precipitation as a strong Western Disturbance (WD) begins to impact most of northwestern India. The weather system is expected to bring rain, strong winds, and hailstorms across the region until October 7.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast indicates that while Delhi-NCR may see light to moderate rain through October 7, the spells will be accompanied by gusty winds reaching up to 50 km/hr. The minimum temperature in Delhi is expected to dip to 22{C} by October 8, with the maximum dropping to 31{C} with the rain. A sharper fall in temperatures is expected after the disturbance departs, marking the start of a gradual winter onset.
WD Brings Peak Intensity on October 6
The strong Western Disturbance is forecast to affect Northwest India between October 4 and 8. The IMD and independent forecasters warn that this system is drawing high moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, which will contribute to intense weather.
The IMD said the region could see heavy to very heavy precipitation with hailstorms between October 5 and 7, with peak intensity expected on October 6, 2025.
Areas including Punjab, Haryana, northern Rajasthan, and the hilly states are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall spells on October 5 and 6. Snowfall is expected only in the upper reaches of the Western Himalayas, with a risk of mudslides in the hills.
Independent forecaster Ashwary Tiwari of IndiaMetSky noted that models indicate a “powerful western disturbance, unusually south,” with activity expected to start across Punjab, northwest Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir from October 5, gradually shifting eastward thereafter.
Temperature Drop Expected Post-Disturbance
Climate scientists expect the weather system to kick off the long-awaited drop in temperature across the plains.
Mahesh Palawat vice president at Skymet, explained, “We will see a dip in night-time temperature soon after this western disturbance departs as cold northwesterly winds will start blowing from the hills towards the plains. This will provide a chill in the air, particularly at night and in the morning.”
This temperature dip is slightly ahead of Delhi’s long-period average, which shows the minimum temperature typically falls below 20 around October 13. Cold northwesterly winds are expected to dominate from October 9, initiating a sharper fall in temperatures.