The rising trend of temperatures in the month of February is unusual. Many parts of the country are witnessing significantly above average day and nighty temperatures. Maximum temperatures at most places over Himachal Pradesh, west Rajasthan, remaining parts of Western Himalayas, parts of East Rajasthan, Saurashtra and Kutch, Konkan and Goa as well as at one or two places over Uttarakhand and Gujarat region are significantly above normal.
The two weather factors can we demarcated for this unusual rise in temperatures. Number one can be successive Western disturbances which are approaching Western Himalayas but are not capable of giving any significant rain or snow. Moreover, the gap between these Western disturbances very less. Therefore, the cold winds from north are not setting up which would have arrested the rise in temperatures. Second one is an anti-cyclone which was over Northeast Arabian Sea. Now it has moved over southwest Rajasthan. Due to this anti cyclone, hot and dry winds from Baluchistan, South Sind and Thar Desert are reaching northwest India as well as over Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Absence of any significant weather activity, bright sunshine, dry and hot winds are responsible for this unusual spike in temperatures.
We do not foresee any relief from ongoing hot weather conditions over Northwest, Central and parts of West Coast of the country in coming week. Warmer than usual temperatures will adversely impact the quality and yield of crops.
