Delhi’s February Heatwave Takes a Brief Pause: What Thursday’s Weather Means for AI Summit Delegates 

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Delhi experienced a temporary reprieve from an unusually warm February as the India AI Impact Summit continued at Bharat Mandapam, with the India Meteorological Department recording maximum temperatures between 26–28°C and minimums of 12–14°C—still 1.6 to 3 degrees above normal despite Wednesday’s brief 0.3 mm rainfall providing slight relief from earlier 30-degree highs. The improved air quality (AQI 164, “satisfactory”) and clear skies offered international delegates, including French President Emmanuel Macron and tech leaders like Sam Altman, pleasant conditions for the summit’s fourth day, though the above-normal temperatures underscore concerning climate trends affecting Delhi’s traditional winter pattern.

Delhi’s February Heatwave Takes a Brief Pause: What Thursday’s Weather Means for AI Summit Delegates 

The national capital woke up to noticeably pleasant conditions on Thursday, offering a brief reprieve from what has been an unusually warm February. As delegates from across the globe file into Bharat Mandapam for the fourth day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, they’re being greeted by weather that feels less like late winter and more like an early spring morning. 

According to the India Meteorological Department, Delhiites and summit attendees can expect maximum temperatures hovering between 26 to 28 degrees Celsius, with minimums settling in the 12 to 14 degree range. While these numbers might sound perfectly pleasant to anyone familiar with Delhi’s extreme summers, they tell a more concerning story: even this “cooler” day remains 1.6 to 3 degrees above what February should typically feel like in the capital. 

The Numbers Tell a Warming Story 

The brief rainfall on Wednesday—a mere 0.3 mm according to IMD records—has temporarily knocked down the mercury after several days of unprecedented February heat. Just earlier this week, Delhi recorded its hottest February day in five years, with temperatures crossing the 30-degree mark on Monday. For context, February in Delhi traditionally offers some of the most pleasant weather of the year—crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and evenings that call for light jackets. 

Walking through the city this week, one notices the subtle signs of this meteorological anomaly. The usual February crowds at outdoor cafes are seeking shade rather than sunshine. Morning walkers in Delhi’s numerous parks are shedding their sweaters earlier than usual. And summit attendees, many arriving from cooler European capitals, are adjusting to conditions that feel more like April than the tail end of winter. 

What’s Behind the Unseasonable Warmth? 

Meteorologists point to a combination of factors driving this temperature surge. The absence of strong western disturbances—the winter weather systems that typically bring rain and cooler temperatures to north India—has left the region under the influence of dry, warm air. Additionally, clear skies have allowed maximum solar heating during the day, with temperatures taking longer to drop at night. 

The brief Wednesday shower, while welcome, did little to address the underlying pattern. “It’s like putting a drop of water on a hot pan,” as one Delhi University environmental science professor put it. “The relief is temporary and superficial. What we’re seeing is consistent with broader warming trends that have been affecting north Indian winters over the past decade.” 

A City Under the Global Spotlight 

The timing of this warm spell carries particular significance. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcoming roughly 20 heads of state and global tech luminaries including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Reliance’s Mukesh Ambani, Delhi is very much in the international spotlight. The AI Impact Summit represents India’s ambition to position itself as a serious player in the global artificial intelligence landscape—and first impressions matter. 

For delegates arriving from Paris, where President Emmanuel Macron experienced a typically chilly French winter before departing, the Delhi warmth might come as a pleasant surprise. For those coming from even colder climates, it’s an unexpected encounter with the realities of a warming planet. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has made climate action a cornerstone of his tenure, will experience firsthand the kind of temperature anomalies that his reports have been warning about for years. 

The Air Quality Silver Lining 

If there’s an environmental bright spot in Thursday’s forecast, it’s the air quality. The AQI reading of 164 falls into the “satisfactory” category—a designation that Delhi residents rarely see during the winter months when toxic smog frequently envelops the city. 

This improvement hasn’t happened by accident. The Commission for Air Quality Management recently revoked Stage-II restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan, citing improved meteorological conditions. The combination of light rain and shifting wind patterns has helped clear pollutants that typically trap Delhi’s winter air in a hazardous haze. 

For summit attendees moving between venues, this means clear views of the city’s skyline and the ability to spend time outdoors without the throat-scratching discomfort that often accompanies Delhi winters. It’s a small but significant quality-of-life improvement that allows the city to present its best face to international visitors. 

The Human Element: Adapting to a Changing Climate 

Behind the statistics and forecasts lie real human experiences. Street vendors near Bharat Mandapam, setting up their stalls before dawn to catch the early morning crowd, note how different this February feels. “Usually we need two sweaters in the morning,” says Ramesh, who sells chai near the summit venue. “This year, one is enough by 9 AM. The sun comes strong earlier.” 

For the security personnel standing long hours outside the venue, the above-normal temperatures mean increased hydration needs and more frequent breaks. Event organizers have quietly adjusted plans, ensuring adequate water stations and shaded areas for the thousands of support staff working to make the summit run smoothly. 

Meanwhile, Delhi’s famous winter birds—migratory species that flock to the city’s wetlands—are responding to the warmth in their own way. Birdwatchers report that some species seem confused by the temperatures, with altered migration patterns and breeding behaviors that scientists are still working to understand. 

What This Means for Summit Proceedings 

For the dignitaries gathered inside Bharat Mandapam, the weather outside might seem irrelevant to discussions about AI ethics, investment frameworks, and technological cooperation. But in subtle ways, the environment shapes the experience. 

The “family photo” of world leaders scheduled for Thursday morning will take place under clear Delhi skies rather than in the controlled environment of the convention center. The brief moments leaders spend outdoors—arriving and departing, moving between venues—become part of their lasting impression of India and its capital. 

PM Modi’s address, welcoming global partners to discuss artificial intelligence, takes on additional layers of meaning when delivered against the backdrop of a city experiencing climate anomalies. The discussions about AI’s role in addressing global challenges inevitably brush against questions of environmental sustainability and climate adaptation. 

The Disconnect: Summit Comfort Versus City Reality 

There’s an undeniable contrast between the climate-controlled comfort of Bharat Mandapam and the reality for most Delhi residents. Inside the summit venue, delegates debate the future of technology while outside, millions navigate a city where infrastructure strains under population pressure and environmental stress. 

The brief Wednesday rain that provided Thursday’s cooler temperatures also caused localized waterlogging in parts of the city—a reminder of Delhi’s vulnerability to even minor weather events. The same storm system that dropped 0.3 mm at the airport caused more significant accumulation in other areas, exposing drainage systems that struggle to cope with any deviation from perfect conditions. 

For the summit’s Indian organizers, there’s pride in showing Delhi at its best—clear skies, bearable temperatures, functioning venues. But there’s also awareness that this represents a fleeting ideal rather than the city’s everyday reality. 

Looking Ahead: The Week’s Weather Trajectory 

IMD forecasts suggest that Thursday’s relative coolness may be short-lived. As the effects of Wednesday’s rain dissipate, temperatures are expected to climb again toward the weekend. The pattern of above-normal February temperatures appears likely to persist, continuing a trend that climate scientists have been tracking for years. 

For summit attendees planning extended stays in India, this means packing for warmth rather than the cool weather traditionally associated with February. For Delhi residents, it raises questions about what comes next—if February is this warm, what will March and April bring? 

Beyond the Headlines: Personal Observations 

Walking through Delhi on a February morning that feels like March, one notices the small adjustments people make. Auto-rickshaw drivers have removed the plastic side curtains they use for winter protection earlier than usual. Schools have relaxed uniform rules, allowing lighter clothing. Evening markets see crowds later, as people wait for the sun’s intensity to fade. 

There’s resilience in these adaptations—a city accustomed to extremes finding ways to cope. But there’s also concern. Long-time Delhi residents speak of winters as something to be treasured, a brief period when the city becomes livable, breathable, almost pleasant. Each year that compresses that window of comfort feels like a small loss. 

The Intersection of Technology and Environment 

It’s perhaps fitting that the AI Summit coincides with this weather moment. Artificial intelligence, after all, is increasingly being deployed to understand and address climate challenges—from optimizing energy grids to predicting weather patterns, from designing more efficient cities to monitoring environmental changes. 

The leaders gathered in Delhi will discuss investments in AI infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and ethical guidelines. But the environment outside the conference halls serves as a reminder of why these conversations matter. Technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it’s developed by and for people living in real places with real challenges. 

As Sam Altman takes the stage and Mukesh Ambani announces investment plans, the Delhi sun continues its steady arc across a clear sky. Inside, conversations about the future unfold. Outside, that future takes shape in ways both visible and subtle—in warming temperatures, in migrating birds, in a city adjusting to a changing climate. 

Practical Advice for Summit Attendees and Visitors 

For those navigating Delhi during the summit, Thursday’s conditions offer an excellent opportunity to experience the city. The satisfactory AQI means outdoor activities are genuinely enjoyable. The warm afternoons call for light clothing, while evenings still carry enough coolness to justify a light layer. 

Visitors should note that Delhi’s weather can be deceptive—the sun is stronger than it feels, and hydration remains important despite the moderate temperatures. Local organizers have arranged adequate facilities, but personal precautions go a long way. 

For the broader audience following summit proceedings from afar, Thursday’s Delhi weather offers a snapshot of a city in transition—hosting global conversations while grappling with local realities, celebrating technological progress while experiencing environmental change, projecting confidence while adapting to circumstances beyond its control. 

Conclusion: More Than Just a Weather Report 

Today’s above-normal temperatures in Delhi are more than a statistical anomaly or a brief news item. They’re a tangible experience for thousands of summit participants, a data point in longer climate trends, and a reminder that even our most ambitious conversations about the future occur within the constraints of the physical world. 

As the AI Impact Summit continues its deliberations, the weather outside serves as both backdrop and context—a demonstration of why the conversations happening inside Bharat Mandapam matter, and a humbling reminder that technology, for all its power, ultimately serves a world that operates by its own rules. 

The mercury will rise and fall in the coming days. The summit will conclude, and delegates will depart. But the questions raised by this warm February—about adaptation, about responsibility, about the relationship between human innovation and planetary limits—will remain, awaiting answers that no algorithm can yet provide.