The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday raised its forecast for a heat wave to affect parts Vidharbha and central Maharashtra in the last week of March, signalling the early onset of summer.
A day after IMD forecast dry weather for Pune till March 12, Anupam Kashyapi, head of weather, IMD Pune said,“Heat wave patterns over isolated pockets of Maharashtra will develop in the second fortnight, specifically during the last week of March.Impact of western disturbances will not able to penetrate our state, so there is no question about the presence of a northerly wind. Hence, the trend of a rise in temperatures will continue.”
According to the IMD, a heat wave is in play if the maximum temperature of a station reaches 40°C for the plains; 37°C or coastal stations; and 30°C for hilly regions.
Solapur, Pune, Parbhani, Amravati and Chandrapur are already experiencing maximum temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius.
IMD Pune also forecast light showers over parts of Vidharba on March 11 and March 12.
Kashyapi said, “As a result of the confluence westerlies winds (hot and humid) and easterlies winds (cold) over Vidharba and adjacent parts of the state, there is a chance of light rainfall on March 11,12 and 13.”
{{/usCountry}}Kashyapi said, “As a result of the confluence westerlies winds (hot and humid) and easterlies winds (cold) over Vidharba and adjacent parts of the state, there is a chance of light rainfall on March 11,12 and 13.”
{{/usCountry}}On Friday, Pune recorded a maximum temperature of 34.0 °C , while Solapur saw 36.5°C.