File photo NEW DELHI: Many parts of the country may not be hotter than usual this month due to ‘above normal’ rainfall, but certain states, especially those along the Himalayan foothills such as southern Himachal and Uttarakhand, along the eastern coast, and some parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat, are likely to face ‘above normal’ heatwave days (an additional 3 to 8 days), according to IMD’s May forecast released Friday.The Met department also predicted warmer nights (above normal minimum temperatures) across many parts of the country, a phenomenon IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said is linked to climate change.’Above normal’ rainfall during the month is attributed to increased frequency of western disturbances and thunderstorm activity due to favourable troughs and upper air cyclonic circulations. These are likely to bring down day temps to ‘below normal’ in certain regions.”Maximum (day) temperatures are expected to be normal to below normal across many parts of the country. However, above-normal temperatures are likely in many parts of southern peninsular India, some parts of the northeast, and northwest India,” said Mohapatra.He said minimum (night) temperatures are, on the other hand, expected to be above normal across many parts of the country. “However, many areas of northwest India, along with some parts of central India and adjoining areas of peninsular India and southern parts of northeast India, are likely to experience normal to below-normal minimum temperatures.”Southwest monsoon is expected to arrive over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands around May 14-20. A forecast for its onset over Kerala, which marks arrival of monsoon over India’s mainland, is expected around May 15.The Met department has already predicted ‘below normal’ monsoon rainfall this year amid the risk of El Nino, the warming of ocean surface temperatures in central and eastern equatorial Pacific, often linked to depressed rainfall over Indian subcontinent.Increasing frequency of WDs – moist air and low-pressure systems over Mediterranean region that enter India and affect local weather – led to seven such events in April, causing thunderstorms, rain, winds and lightning in northwest and adjoining central and east India.Extreme weather events linked to WDs claimed 24 lives last month. Lightning alone killed 10 people in Andhra, UP, Maharashtra and Odisha.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFuel Prices May Go Up Soon As Oil Firms Face Losses Amid Global Crude SpikeNine Dead As Tourist Boat Capsizes In Jabalpur, Survivors Allege Major Safety LapsesJPMorgan Executive Sued Over Sexual Abuse, Coercion And Racial Harassment Allegations In New YorkJabalpur Boat Tragedy: Mother Found Clutching Child After Bargi Dam Capsize, 9 DeadIndia Launches First Barrier-Less Toll System On NH-48: How MLFF Will Change Highway TravelTamil Nadu Poll Tension: Vijay’s TVK Office Set On Fire, Security Concerns RiseRahul Gandhi Flags Fuel Price Surge After ₹993 LPG Hike, Warns Petrol-Diesel Could Be NextPunjab Assembly Chaos | CM Bhagwant Mann Allegedly ‘Intoxicated’, Opposition Demands Alcohol TestPakistan admits fuel vulnerability amid global oil shock; compares energy security with IndiaCommercial LPG Surges Past ₹3000, Hotels Warn Of Price Hike Impact | Watch123PhotostoriesHow to make South Indian Tamarind Rice for summer lunchMaharashtra Day 2026: Chef Sanjeev Kapoor honours the culinary heritage of the stateBest time to do yoga: Morning vs evening; What works better for your body?How Raghav Chadha’s mango shake differs from a regular mango shake; details insideRaw mango vs ripe mango: Which is a safer, smarter choice for people living with diabetes?From Daffodils to Castor beans: 5 Plants that can be deadly for your pet dogSons vs daughters: 5 ways parents treat them differently without realising and the impact it leavesDo Mangoes cause body heat? What happens when you eat too many Mangoes, doctor explains6 simple tips to keep your pet safe during extreme heatwaveFeeling anxious or low? These common vitamin deficiencies could be the hidden reason123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingStock Market Holiday TodayBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: Many parts of the country may not be hotter than usual this month due to ‘above normal’ rainfall, but certain states, especially those along the Himalayan foothills such as southern Himachal and Uttarakhand, along the eastern coast, and some parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat, are likely to face ‘above normal’ heatwave days (an additional 3 to 8 days), according to IMD’s May forecast released Friday.The Met department also predicted warmer nights (above normal minimum temperatures) across many parts of the country, a phenomenon IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said is linked to climate change.‘Above normal’ rainfall during the month is attributed to increased frequency of western disturbances and thunderstorm activity due to favourable troughs and upper air cyclonic circulations. These are likely to bring down day temps to ‘below normal’ in certain regions.
“Maximum (day) temperatures are expected to be normal to below normal across many parts of the country. However, above-normal temperatures are likely in many parts of southern peninsular India, some parts of the northeast, and northwest India,” said Mohapatra.He said minimum (night) temperatures are, on the other hand, expected to be above normal across many parts of the country. “However, many areas of northwest India, along with some parts of central India and adjoining areas of peninsular India and southern parts of northeast India, are likely to experience normal to below-normal minimum temperatures.”Southwest monsoon is expected to arrive over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands around May 14-20. A forecast for its onset over Kerala, which marks arrival of monsoon over India’s mainland, is expected around May 15.The Met department has already predicted ‘below normal’ monsoon rainfall this year amid the risk of El Nino, the warming of ocean surface temperatures in central and eastern equatorial Pacific, often linked to depressed rainfall over Indian subcontinent.Increasing frequency of WDs – moist air and low-pressure systems over Mediterranean region that enter India and affect local weather – led to seven such events in April, causing thunderstorms, rain, winds and lightning in northwest and adjoining central and east India.Extreme weather events linked to WDs claimed 24 lives last month. Lightning alone killed 10 people in Andhra, UP, Maharashtra and Odisha.
