Gujarat Skips The Heat Wave In May: Unlikely In The Remaining Days Of Month Too
Representational Image: AI-Skymet
Key Takeaways:
- Gujarat has largely escaped severe heat wave conditions despite intense heat over Rajasthan.
- Surendranagar was the only Gujarat location to touch 45°C this May.
- Temperatures may dip slightly between May 29 and 31 across Gujarat.
- Pre-monsoon rain and thundershowers are possible during the first week of June.
West Rajasthan and interiors of Saurashtra and Central Gujarat are considered the hottest pockets of the western parts of the country during the pre-monsoon season. The month of May is taken as the blazing period for extreme temperatures for days together over both pockets. Loo conditions become a regular feature when the dry and sweltering airmass sweeps for long durations during the day.
Border posts of Rajasthan have undergone scorching heat with temperatures in excess of 48°C at Barmer and nearing 47°C at Phalodi on more than one occasion. Most locations of Gujarat have shied away from the heat wave mark of 45°C during this month. Surendranagar was the only place recording 45°C or a shade above on 10th and 11th May 2026. As such, barring the coastline stations, all other locations have a normal temperature ranging between 41°C and 42°C in the month of May. To qualify for heat wave conditions, the temperature essentially needs to cross the 45°C mark, and it has been missing this season.
Gujarat temperatures spike predominantly under two conditions. Dry weather spell over Gujarat gets supplemented with additional heat from across the border, advected by northwesterly winds. Temperatures have shot up to 49°C at Jacobabad (Pakistan) and nearing 48°C at a few more places. However, the winds are not favourable to transport this blaze over Gujarat. The state has been shielded from the searing heat of Rajasthan as well, for the similar reason.
Temperatures are unlikely to rise over most parts of the country during the next two days. Thereafter, the mercury may take a slight dip between 29th and 31st May across many parts, including Gujarat. The month of June will witness a change in the wind stream pattern right at the start itself. The heat factor will mitigate further, diluting the intensity of heat. Though it is a little early to commit, the state may witness an unusual spell of pre-monsoon rain and thundershowers during the beginning of the first week of June 2026. No extreme heat is envisaged for the westernmost state of India during the remaining pre-monsoon days.
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