Mercury levels have increased aggressively over most parts of North and Central India. Winters have receded and heat in the month of February is giving feel of late March/April. The spring season, cushion between winter and summer, is conspicuously missing for the 2nd time in a row. Cuddle break with soft weather conditions got filled up without even getting noticed. 2023 seems a repeat of 2022. Heat stress is likely to build up further as the pre monsoon season arrives.
March is expected to be much hotter than normal. Absence of western disturbances in February for the plains has got the heat accumulated. Scanty rains have led to acute levels of soil and air moisture. Increased heat potential will possibly give rise to more frequent and longer spells of heat wave, across central, eastern and northern parts of the country. Gujarat and Maharashtra face the risk burning out through the upcoming months of March to June.
La Nina conditions, as extension of triple dip La Nina, smothered northern plains and western parts, with literally arid conditions. Change over to 'neutral' first and followed by El Nino may cast shadow in terms of combative heat during the pre monsoon and spoiling the rains later.
Excess temperatures over Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and neighbourhood may find small respite for the next few days. Above normal mercury levels smashed these parts with temperatures as high as 8-10 degree above the normal. Margin may shrink to 4-6 degree fore the next few days, albeit remaining above normal over most parts.