After days of intense summer heat, several parts of northern India witnessed a welcome change in weather as rain and thunderstorms brought temperatures down across the region. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), states including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh recorded below-normal temperatures at the beginning of June.
Delhi, which had recently been under the grip of heatwave conditions, experienced its coolest start to June in the last three years. Data from the Safdarjung Observatory showed that the national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 36.3C and a minimum of 24.9C on Monday.
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The last lower daytime temperature for June 1 was recorded in 2023, when the maximum settled at 32.7C and the minimum at 20.6C. Despite the current relief, the weather department has indicated that temperatures in Delhi are likely to rise gradually from Tuesday.
Rainfall and thunderstorm activity to continue
The IMD has forecast continued weather activity across several northern states in the coming days. Moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds is expected over Jammu and Kashmir on June 6. Similar conditions are likely in Uttarakhand from June 2 to 6, Punjab on June 5, Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh between June 1 and 5, West Uttar Pradesh from June 2 to 5, East Uttar Pradesh on June 1, and Rajasthan from June 3 to 5.
Central India under weather watch
Parts of central India are also expected to receive light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms and strong winds. East Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh may witness such conditions from June 2 to 5, while West Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha are likely to experience similar weather during the week.
The IMD has warned that some areas of West Madhya Pradesh could see wind speeds of 50 to 60 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 70 kmph. Heavy rainfall is forecast at isolated locations on June 2 and 3, while hailstorm activity is also expected on June 2.
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Monsoon advance likely soon
Attention is now shifting to the southwest monsoon, which normally reaches Kerala around June 1. The weather agency said favourable conditions are developing for its further advance.
“The conditions are favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon into some more parts of the southwest and southeast Arabian Sea, the Lakshadweep Islands, and parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu during the next two to three days,” the IMD said.
The monsoon is also expected to advance into additional parts of the Bay of Bengal region during the same period, paving the way for its gradual progress across the country.
