Maximum temperatures in Delhi and surrounding areas of Haryana and west Uttar Pradesh have been on the lower side compared to the average temperature for the month. But this period is about to be over as day temperatures are expected to touch the 40 degree mark at many places in the next 48 hours. Cool northerly winds coupled with a Western Disturbance over Jammu & Kashmir that brought some rain in the Western Himalayan region has not let temperatures to rise significantly. Delhi recorded 38.3°C as maximum temperature on Monday, while minimum temperature recorded on Tuesday morning was 26°C.
An extended forecast by Skymet Meteorology Division in India says that the northwest plains could be heading for one of the hottest spells of the season. In the last couple of days maximums have been settling in the lower forties and they are expected to sustain for the remaining days of the month. There could be a marginal drop in the maximums during the stay of Western Disturbances over the Western Himalayan region.
In East India, Bihar and Gangetic West Bengal continue to reel under heat wave like conditions as day temperatures in Muzaffarpur was seven degrees above normal, while in Patna it was five degrees above normal. Similarly, Bankura and Kolkata in West Bengal also recorded maximums at five degrees above the normal.
According to the latest weather update, the Gangetic plains over Bihar and West Bengal in East India would continue to remain under the influence of dry westerly winds and day temperatures will remain above normal for the next two days.
However, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim will continue to receive rain due to a cyclonic circulation in the region. Pre-monsoon rain will continue in Northeast India due to a cyclonic circulation over Assam. Another circulation in the Bay of Bengal is again pushing southerly winds towards the region.
Pre-monsoon rain in South India will continue to occur at isolated places across the region due to a trough of low extended from a cyclonic circulation over Vidarbha to Lakshadweep. Under its influence moist winds are colliding with northerly winds to bring rain in the region.
A weather alert issued by Skymet Meteorology Division in India at 10:03 am on Tuesday said that light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at a few places in Bagalkot, Belgaum, Dharwad, Haveri and Shimoga districts of Karnataka with strong winds of 40 kmph, gusting at 60 kmph during the next 2 to 6 hours.
