On February 14, 2026, India awoke to a weather pattern that, while largely tranquil, carried hints of something unusual for this time of year. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), most of the country experienced clear skies and dry conditions, with the mercury steadily climbing in several states—a pattern that’s starting to feel more like early summer than the tail end of winter.
Across the Himalayan region, a fresh Western Disturbance was active, bringing isolated to scattered light snowfall to the higher reaches of Jammu & Kashmir, including the popular destinations of Gulmarg and Sonamarg, as well as Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. This was the only notable precipitation event of the day, as no significant rain was forecast for the northern plains, including Delhi, Rajasthan, or Gujarat. Instead, the lowlands continued their warming trend, with temperatures in Delhi-NCR running 3–5°C above the long-term average—a figure that has caught the attention of meteorologists and residents alike.
Delhi’s weather on this Valentine’s Day was a study in contrasts: a minimum of 16°C and a maximum of 28°C, with a misty or hazy morning giving way to clear, sunny skies by afternoon. The city’s signature winter chill was nowhere to be found, replaced by an early summer feel that had many swapping sweaters for lighter attire. The IMD noted, "The dry spell is likely to continue over the next few days, with a steady rise in daytime temperatures, signalling an early build-up of heat across the national capital."
Elsewhere, the story was much the same—if not warmer. In Chennai, residents woke to a minimum of 22°C and saw the mercury climb to 32°C by afternoon, under generally dry and sunny skies. Mumbai, too, reported a humid start with morning clouds, but these quickly gave way to sunshine and a maximum temperature of 31°C. Hyderabad enjoyed clear skies, with a minimum of 18°C and a maximum of 31°C, and similar conditions prevailed across Karnataka, where the thermometer swung between 16°C and 31°C. The IMD warned of hot and humid conditions at isolated places along the west coast, especially in coastal Karnataka and the Konkan-Goa region, cautioning, "People working outdoors, elderly citizens and children have been advised to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during peak afternoon hours."
In the north, Uttar Pradesh saw a minimum of 11°C and a maximum of 26°C, with clear skies and only the faintest hint of morning fog. Rajasthan’s minimum stood at 13°C and its maximum at 28°C, signaling a decisive end to the season’s intense winter chill. Punjab, too, experienced a sunny day with minimum and maximum temperatures of 11°C and 24°C, respectively, and a noticeable abatement of icy winter winds. Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, was particularly warm, with a minimum of 19°C and a maximum of 34°C under dry, clear skies.
City dwellers across India could also track the day’s rhythms by sunrise and sunset: Delhi saw the sun rise at 7:01 AM and set at 6:10 PM, while Mumbai’s day stretched from 7:07 AM to 6:38 PM. In Chennai, the sun was up at 6:32 AM and down at 6:14 PM, and Hyderabad’s daylight hours ran from 6:43 AM to 6:17 PM. These timings, though routine, offered a small reminder of the country’s vastness and diversity—each city a little world of its own.
But behind the calm, forecasters were keeping a close eye on the numbers. The IMD predicted a 2 to 3°C rise in maximum temperatures over Maharashtra and Karnataka through the next four days, followed by a similar fall. Minimum temperatures across northwest and central India were expected to remain stable for the next couple of days, with a gradual rise thereafter. This warming trend, particularly in central and western India, has already pushed afternoon temperatures above the 30°C mark in many cities, giving a premature taste of summer.
In the hills, the weather was a bit more dramatic. Dense fog was likely at isolated places over Himachal Pradesh until February 15, especially during the morning hours, potentially affecting road travel in some districts. Meanwhile, in the northeast, Arunachal Pradesh faced the prospect of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, while squally weather with wind speeds of 35–45 kmph—and gusts up to 55 kmph—was forecast for parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal. Fishermen were advised to exercise caution, a reminder that even on a mostly calm day, nature can still throw a curveball.
Meteorologists noted that cold, dry winds would continue to sweep from Punjab down to Maharashtra, touching Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. These winds kept morning and night temperatures relatively cool, even as daytime highs flirted with or surpassed normal levels—especially along the west coast, where cities like Goa, Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Sindhudurg could see temperatures rise 4–5°C above normal. As Devendra Tripathi, founder of Mausam Tak, explained to India Today, "A western disturbance that reached the Himalayan region earlier brought some cloud cover over parts of North and Central India overnight, but its impact has now weakened and is unlikely to influence weather conditions on Saturday."
Looking ahead, the IMD’s outlook suggested that the current stable, dry pattern would persist for a few more days, with any significant change likely only around February 16–17, when a fresh western disturbance is expected to affect the Himalayan region. Until then, most regions can expect bright days, cool mornings in the north, and a gradual build-up of heat as February progresses. Cloud formation was anticipated to increase over parts of the southern peninsular region due to moisture from the Bay of Bengal, but rainfall was unlikely in the immediate future, as these cloud systems were not expected to strengthen enough to produce precipitation.
For many, the question lingered: Why is February so warm, especially in places like Delhi-NCR? According to IMD experts, the answer lies in an early start to summer-like conditions, driven by dry westerly winds and the abatement of cold winter winds. The lack of a distinct spring could mean an abrupt shift to summer heat in the plains, a trend that’s becoming more common in recent years.
In sum, February 14, 2026, offered a snapshot of India in transition—winter’s grip loosening, summer’s advance unmistakable, and the nation’s diverse regions each responding in their own way. While the weather may have been mostly uneventful, the underlying patterns hint at larger shifts that are sure to shape the months ahead.