New Delhi:
Delhi residents sweated it out on Wednesday as the maximum temperature was recorded five notches above average at 30.1 degrees Celsius making it the hottest Feb 22 in the last five years.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the second hottest Feb 22 was in 2009 when the maximum temperature was recorded at 29 degrees. At 23 degrees, 2011 was the coolest.
The IMD said the sudden rise in mercury was due to western disturbances over the Himalayan region because of which the winds blowing over north and western India are hot and moist.
However, as the western disturbances are expected to move away from Delhi by Friday, the temperatures may come down.
The day's minimum temperature was recorded at 12.8 degrees, two notches above average for this time of the season.
Humidity levels wavered between a high of 91 and a low of 31 percent.
Meanwhile, Delhi residents should brace themselves for another hot day on Thursday as the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 29 and 12 degrees Celsius.
Tuesday's maximum temperature settled five notches above average at 29.3 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature was 11.1 degrees, average for this time of the season.