Climate of Delhi is semi-arid with high variation between summer and winter temperatures. Summers are long, from early April to October, with the monsoon season in between. During the summer season, the city faces extreme power and water shortages.[1] Winter starts in November and peaks in January. Although winters are generally mild, Delhi's proximity to the Himalayas results in cold waves that regularly dip temperatures below freezing. Delhi is notorious for its heavy fog during the winter season. In December, reduced visibility leads to disruption of road, air and rail traffic.[2] Many people die every year owing to the summer heat wave and the winter cold wave.[1] The city has a pleasant climate from February to March, and from September to November.
Extreme temperatures have ranged from −0.6 °C (30.9 °F) to 47 °C (116.6 °F).[3] The average annual rainfall is approximately 714 mm (28.1 inches), most of which is during the monsoons in July and August.[4] However, the annual rainfall is extremely variable, with the lowest recorded since 1864 being 261mm (10.27 inches) and the highest 1,583mm (62.3 inches). The average date of the advent of monsoon winds in Delhi is 29 June.[5]
^ "Chapter 1: Introduction" (PDF). Economic Survey of Delhi, 2005–2006 pp1–7. Planning Department, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
