The largest city and former capital of the state of Gujarat, Ahmedabad is likely to cross 40°C the first time in this season so far. Ahmedabad earlier shied away from crossing this milestone when it touched 39.8°C on 22nd March, the highest in this season. Mercury is likely to rise in the coming days and hover around 41°C between 27th and 29th March.
With the exception of last year when the temperature scaled only to 38.2°C during March, a long stretch between 2015 and 2019 successively witnessed mercury breaching 40°C. In all these years, the maximum temperature crossed 41°C and even cracked 42°C in 2017 and 2019. The last week of March invariably records the highest temperature of the month for Ahmedabad. The complete state remains aloof from thunderstorm activity which otherwise act as a leveller for mitigating heat. Fluctuation in the temperature over Ahmedabad and Gujarat is mostly controlled by the wind pattern as derived from the northern plains.
A western disturbance has just cleared the northern plains leaving slightly colder air in the wake. Another system is approaching on 27th March, lasting for 2 days forcing the wind pattern. Mostly the winds from the semi-arid region of Rajasthan and also across the border are likely to sweep between 27th and 30th March. Dry heat is expected to build up with mercury level shooting beyond 40°C over and around Ahmedabad and also most other parts of the state. Even Deesa, Patan, Idar, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Baroda, Bhuj, Rajkot and Amreli are likely to soar with 41°C or more.