New Delhi: The mercury is likely to rise over the next few days. The daytime temperature predicted to cross 40 degrees Celsius and dry weather is likely to persist, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.

Heat wave conditions are unlikely.As Delhi has seen no rain in the last few days, the air quality has worsened from moderate on Wednesday to poor category on Thursday. It was 203 on Thursday, as opposed to 187 a day earlier.Though the IMD issued a yellow alert (be aware) for very light to light rain along with a thunderstorm and gusty winds on Wednesday, no rain was recorded from 8.30am to 5.30pm on Thursday. This led to a rise in the mercury.

The maximum temperature was 37 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal. It was 34.6 degrees Celsius a day earlier.The relative humidity oscillated between 38% and 71%. The minimum temperature stood at 24.6 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal."The mercury is likely to show a rising trend as the impact of the western disturbance and other weather systems have weakened. The day temperature may cross 40 in the next few days," said an IMD official. The Met department has said the maximum could rise to 41-43 degrees by June 10. TNN