Following an early onset of heat in mid-February, above-normal daytime temperatures are likely to prevail across most parts of the country during the upcoming hot weather season from March to May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.
However, parts of northwest and central India may experience normal to below-normal maximum temperatures during this period, the weather office added.
Minimum temperatures are also expected to remain above normal across most regions, except parts of the southern peninsula and isolated pockets elsewhere, where night temperatures may remain normal to below normal.
The IMD has warned of an above-normal number of heatwave days over large parts of east and east-central India, several areas of the southeast peninsula, and parts of northwest and west-central India between March and May.
During March in particular, isolated regions of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh are likely to witness higher-than-normal heatwave conditions.
For March, monthly maximum temperatures are expected to remain largely normal to below normal over many parts of the country.
However, northeast India, adjoining eastern regions, parts of the western Himalayan belt, central India and sections of the peninsula may record above-normal daytime temperatures.
Night temperatures during March are projected to remain above normal across most parts of the country, except in sections of northwest India, the southern peninsula and parts of the east coast, where normal to below-normal minimum temperatures are expected.
Rainfall in March is likely to be normal to above normal over many regions, barring northeast India and parts of northwest and east-central India, where below-normal rainfall is anticipated.
Climate records indicate that late-winter warming and rising pre-monsoon temperatures began accelerating in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Since 2010, early-season heat events have become more frequent and intense, with several years after 2015 ranking among the warmest on record.
Scientists attribute the trend to long-term global warming, reduced winter precipitation, fewer strong western disturbances, changing land–atmosphere interactions, rapid urbanisation and the growing urban heat island effect.
Rising temperatures are expected to place additional stress on water resources, power demand and public health due to increased risk of heat-related illnesses.