New Delhi, July 9 - Just a hint of the monsoon a week ago and days of parched weather but still the weatherman says there is hope - the capital may finally receive a few showers Thursday giving some relief from the muggy weather.

'There will generally be cloudy skies with a possibility of rain and thundershowers during the day,' said an official at the India Meteorological Department here.

The met office has forecast the maximum temperature at 38 degrees Celsius, while the minimum would hover around 30 degrees Celsius - both a couple of notches above the average for this time of the year.

Although the weatherman predicted rain Wednesday, it continue to elude the capital and the maximum temperature recorded was 40.6 degrees Celsius. Soaring temperatures coupled with high humidity above 65 percent made the weather especially muggy.