Delhi and its surrounding areas may soon experience a break from the intense heatwave. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and isolated hailstorms across several parts of the national capital on Thursday evening.Moderate to severe thunderstorms are expected in Delhi, bringing light to moderate rainfall. The IMD also forecasts strong winds with speeds of 50-60 kmph, potentially gusting up to 70 kmph, during the storm activity.According to weather experts, thunderstorm activity has already begun in northern Rajasthan and is anticipated to spread to Delhi by evening, continuing through the night.Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather told PTI, “Thunderstorm activity has already begun over northern parts of Rajasthan and is expected to spread to Delhi by evening and continue through the night.”Palawat added that the intensity of this weather system is likely to increase on Thursday and may persist until May 30. Between May 30 and 31, the weather activity is expected to move towards Gujarat. He also noted that this pre-monsoon shower spell is predicted to be stronger than previous rainfall events in Delhi this month and in April, leading to widespread rain across the city.This shift in weather is attributed to several factors, including a western disturbance over the Himalayas, a cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan and nearby regions, and moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal. These conditions have significantly increased humidity levels in Delhi-NCR.Despite the forecast, temperatures remained high on Wednesday. The Safdarjung weather station recorded a maximum temperature of 44.3 degrees Celsius, with the minimum temperature around 26 degrees Celsius. Several parts of Delhi have experienced temperatures between 45 and 46 degrees Celsius in recent days.The IMD anticipates very light to light rainfall in Delhi during the afternoon and evening hours on Thursday, accompanied by thunderstorms, thundersqualls, and gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 50-60 kmph.Weather officials predict a significant drop in temperatures, by 5 to 7 degrees Celsius, after May 29, offering much-needed relief from the ongoing heatwave. Residents are advised to remain alert due to the possibility of heavy rain and strong winds, which could disrupt normal life in parts of the city over the next few days.In other weather news, the southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala between May 28 and June 3. Its arrival in Delhi is currently projected around June 27.Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 284, Wazirpur at 263, Rohini at 251, Narela at 254, and Pusa at 216.