As India welcomes the onset of the pre-summer season, the mercury levels across the country have begun to soar, signalling a warmer-than-usual start to the season. According to the latest meteorological forecasts, the peninsular region and parts of Gujarat have already experienced temperatures ranging from 36 to 40 degrees Celsius.
The trend is not isolated, as southern Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have also reported temperatures one to three degrees Celsius above the norm. The plains of India are not far behind, with temperatures hovering between 32 to 36 degrees Celsius, again one to three degrees above normal.
The heat wave is intensifying, with maximum temperatures exceeding climatological parameters by 95 per cent in isolated regions of Marathwada, Kerala, and south coastal Tamil Nadu. Predictions indicate that this sweltering weather will extend to Marathwada and Vidarbha on March 26 and persist beyond the 95 percent threshold. Neighbouring areas of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and interior Odisha are bracing for the heat wave to hit on March 27 and 28.
In North-West India, the mercury is set to rise by two to three degrees Celsius over the next two days, with no significant changes expected thereafter. East and Central India, along with Interior Maharashtra, will see a gradual increase in maximum temperatures by two to four degrees Celsius over the next four to five days. The rest of the country is forecasted to experience stable maximum temperatures for the next five days.
Regions such as Telangana, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala, and Mahe are preparing for a period of hot and humid conditions from March 26 to 30.
Temperature rises, rain forecast in Northeast India
Amidst the rising temperatures, the Meteorological Department has also forecasted precipitation events. A cyclonic circulation over north-east Assam and adjacent areas, coupled with a trough extending from north-east Madhya Pradesh to south-east Assam, sets the stage for meteorological activity. As a result, isolated parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are expected to receive light to moderate rain with thunderstorms on March 26, with rainfall estimates ranging from 15.6 mm to 64.4 mm.
Arunachal Pradesh is on alert for heavy rain and snowfall, with anticipated rainfall between 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm. Similar conditions are expected in Assam and Meghalaya. West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to experience light to moderate rain accompanied by strong winds and lightning.
A new Western Disturbance, in the form of a trough in the westerly winds at middle and upper levels, is influencing weather changes in North India. Another fresh Western Disturbance is anticipated to become active from the night of March 29, affecting the western Himalayan regions.
Storm to bring rain, snow, and hail
This disturbance is expected to bring lightning, light rain, and snowfall to high-altitude areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad from March 27 to 30, and to parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on March 28 and 30. Additionally, Himachal Pradesh may experience hailstorms on March 28 and 29.
Light rain and lightning are also forecasted for Punjab and Haryana from March 28 to 30, with light rain expected in East Rajasthan on March 28 and Western Uttar Pradesh on March 29 and 30. These states could see rainfall ranging from 0.1 mm to 15.5 mm.
As India transitions into the warmer months, these weather patterns highlight the dynamic and diverse climate of the subcontinent, reminding its inhabitants of the natural forces at play.
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