March 2023 has witnessed diverse weather conditions. As against hot and dry conditions in the first half of the month, the second half is rather lenient on heat and courteous on rainfall. Earlier, the month of February was adjudged the hottest in the last over 100 years. It was also one of the driest on record. Heat had build up earlier than normal over many parts of the country. Heat wave conditions prevailed for fairly long over Rajasthan, Gujarat, Konkan & Goa, Coastal Karnataka and Kerala.
As against prediction of hot March, the 2nd half of the month has defied and cooled down sufficiently. Heat has abated completely and unlikely to return in the remaining days. Rather, slight morning chill followed by nip in the air has returned over hills and plains of North India.
First half of March 2023 remained terribly deficit across length and breadth of the country. Inadequate rainfall resulted accumulation of heat and led the charge to hot weather over many parts of the country. First week was rain deficit by 70% and increased further to 86% in the second one.
The 3rd week has deluged many parts of the country and compensated the earlier loss during the fist half of the month. Pan India rainfall between 01st and 22nd March 2023 was 26mm against the normal of 20.9mm, registering a surplus of 25%. Except Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu& Kashmir, all other sub divisions are excess or large excess in the seasonal pre monsoon rains. Oceanic territories of Lakshadweep and Bay Islands have shortfall in excess of 70%.
Weather activity is expected to continue over most parts of the country, albeit in a staggered manner. March will end up on a surplus note and may even compensate for dry February. Heat is unlikely to return in the remaining days of March and comfort range may even extend to initial days of April as well.
