It's coolest April in Delhi

New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) The national capital Thursday again had a soft, cool breeze and light drizzle, and the Met Office said April this year has been an unusually pleasant month.

"This April has been more pleasant than usual, experiencing light rain or thunderstorms. The unusually pleasant weather for the month of April is because of western disturbances," R.K. Jenamani, director of the Indian Meteorological Department (IGI Airport), told IANS.

Western disturbance is a meteorological term referring to a succession of fast-moving air currents from the Mediterranean region that bring sudden rain and snow to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent.

"Western disturbances at this time are not unusual but these ones have certainly moved at unusual speeds. Usually, the national capital gets dust storms and light rain two or three times in April. But this time, we have seen this for seven to eight times. This pattern is likely to continue till the first week of May," Jenamani said.

From April 1 to 10, the maximum temperature in the capital city touched about 38 degrees Celsius. Then, the weather pattern changed with the western disturbances bringing light showers and dust storms, and pushing the temperatures down.

"The sun is so fierce during the day. But then, there is sudden change in the weather towards the afternoon and evening. The breeze accompanied by a few drops of rain is a bliss!" said Sylvia Paul, shopping at Connaught Place.

The minimum temperature Thursday settled at 22.6 degrees, two notches below what is the average for this time of the season. The Met Office has forecast rain later in the day.

The maximum temperature is expected to be around 36 degrees, said a Met official.

Wednesday's maximum temperature was 35.6 degrees Celsius, three notches below the season's average, while the minimum was 22.6 degrees Celsius, two notches below average, the official said.