Pre-monsoon season of 2023 has not witnessed intense heat until now. However, a short spell of the heat wave was observed over parts of Northwest, Central and East India between April 16 and 19. Unseasonal and widespread rain, thundershowers and scattered hailstorm came to the rescue of most parts of the country during the second half of March. Rain and thundershowers continued until the first 10 days of April leading to cooler-than-normal temperatures.
Pre-monsoon rains have been going on over parts of Northern Plains, Central, East, Northeast, and South India for the last 2 to 3 days. Heatwave has already abated the entire country. Rain and thundershowers will continue over the eastern half of the country until April 27 which includes East India, Northeast India, most parts of the South Peninsula, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha and Eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh. Therefore, temperatures will remain under check over these states. There may be a gradual increase over Northwest and West Central India but may not lead to a heat wave.
Rain and thundershowers may commence over many parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra, parts of Gujarat, South Rajasthan, and western parts of Madhya Pradesh from April 28. They will gradually cover most parts of the country. The first week of May seems to be the rainiest since last man years. We expect the temperature of most parts of the country will be near normal until the first 10 days of May. May is the hottest month. But these rain activities will be a huge relief from hot weather conditions.
However, there is a downside to these rains as late-sown crops are being harvested during late April and early May. This rain activity may hamper the harvesting of these crops.