Delhi to witness hotter summer during March-May: IMD
In its seasonal outlook for March-May, the India Meteorological Department on Tuesday said Delhi would witness a hotter summer this year. IMD said western and adjoining areas of central India, northwest India--including Delhi-NCR--and northernmost parts of northeast India would face a hotter summer during March-May. But it'd be less hot in Peninsular India and parts of the east, northeast, and northern plains, it added.
Maximum temperature to remain high in J&K, Ladakh, Himachal
The weather agency further said the maximum temperature would remain high in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, major parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and adjoining areas of southwest Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. However, the IMD predicted "below normal" maximum temperature in the northern plains, including Punjab, parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar during the March-May period.
Heat waves in west-central, northwest India
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the frequency of heat waves will be higher during the summer over west-central and parts of northwest India. However, "heat waves will be comparatively lesser in the Indo-Gangetic plains," Mohapatra added. A heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius and is at least 4.5 degrees Celsius more than normal.
IMD releases rainfall forecast for March
In its rainfall forecast for March, IMD said, "The rainfall in March averaged over the country is most likely to be normal (83-117% of long-period average)." Below normal rainfall is expected over most areas of northwest and central India and some parts of northeast India, IMD added. It also predicted normal to above normal rainfall over many parts of the South Peninsula.
Light showers in Delhi today, tomorrow: IMD
Meanwhile, IMD has forecast light showers for Delhi on Wednesday and Thursday under the influence of a western disturbance. This came as the national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 9.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning.
