Heat Index Of A Country India Wakes Up To A Split Screen Of Heatwaves And Storm Clouds

India’s weather today looks like two seasons colliding on one map. As Delhi NCR and large parts of the plains bake in near 40 degree plus heat, the northeast, coastal south and sections of east India are in line for intense showers and thunderstorms. IMD has rolled out a mix of heat alerts and rain warnings, urging residents to track local advisories closely.

Heat Alerts In North And West

IMD has issued heatwave to severe heatwave warnings for northwest and adjoining central India, covering Delhi NCR, west Rajasthan, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and neighbouring pockets.

In Delhi, the mercury is expected to hover around 39 to 42 degrees Celsius today, with strong sun and only low odds of rain, while western Rajasthan and interior pockets of central India may see even higher day temperatures.

Rain And Thunderstorms In South And Northeast

The same IMD outlook flags heavy to very heavy rainfall over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, sub Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and parts of coastal and interior Karnataka today.

Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds up to around 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are likely in these regions, prompting warnings about localised flooding, waterlogging and disruption to travel, especially in hilly terrain in the northeast.

City Wise Weather Snapshot

For Delhi NCR, IMD and city forecasts point to hot, mainly dry conditions with maximums above 40 degrees Celsius and strong afternoon heat.

Mumbai is set for a warm and humid day with highs in the low to mid thirties and the possibility of light or isolated showers, while Chennai will be hot and sultry with temperatures near 36 degrees.

Bengaluru can expect cloudy skies and a chance of thunderstorms, and Hyderabad and Kolkata are in line for warm, partly cloudy weather with local thunderstorm possibilities.

Monsoon Watch And Larger Pattern

IMD’s latest bulletins note that the southwest monsoon has already advanced into parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands and is likely to reach Kerala around 26 May, plus or minus four days.

Until the monsoon line pushes further north, northwest and central India will continue to see repeated heatwave spells, while the south and northeast receive more rounds of pre monsoon and early monsoon rain.

Weather Today Highlights

1. Heatwave warnings in force today over Delhi NCR, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and adjoining plains
2. Heavy to very heavy rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds likely across northeast states, sub Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka
3. Delhi to stay near or above 40 degrees Celsius, while Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata see a mix of humidity, clouds and local thunderstorms
4. Southwest monsoon has advanced into parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Andaman region and is expected to reach Kerala around May 26

Sources: India Today