PUNE: Major parts of Maharashtra are likely to experience sweltering heat during March 18-24, an extended range forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated.
KS Hosalikar, head, Climate Research and Services, IMD Pune, told TOI that there could be gradual rise in maximum temperatures over most parts of the country during March 18-25. These temperatures are likely to stay above normal by 2-4°C over many parts of northwest, central, east and northeast parts of the country, and north Peninsular India.
"The current rise in day temperatures in parts of Konkan is due to heat wave to severe heat wave conditions," Hosalikar said.
Hosalikar said even now, severe heat wave conditions prevailing in parts of Rajasthan, Saurashtra and Kutch are influencing temperatures in Konkan, where Ratnagiri crossed 40°C on Monday and Mumbai (Santacruz) recorded 39.6°C.
Anupam Kashyapi, head of weather forecasting division, IMD Pune, told TOI, "Based on the latest extended range forecast, day temperatures in major parts of Maharashtra, including Konkan, parts of North Madhya Maharashtra are likely to surge 2-3 degrees above normal."
He said as per weather models, there aren't any chances of rain in the next few days, with sky expected to stay clear, which would further impact day temperatures.
Hosalikar said, " The highest ever temperature in Mumbai (Colaba) in March was 41.6°C on March 17, 2011, and 41.3°C in Santacruz on the same day. So, Monday's temperatures in the coastal city was very close to these marks. Warm northerly winds are blowing into parts of Maharashtra from the heat wave affected regions of Rajasthan, Saurashtra and Kutch, causing a significant rise in temperatures in Konkan. Heat wave to severe heat wave warning has been issued for isolated parts of Konkan till March 16."
On Monday, maximum temperatures were 5-8 degrees above normal in Konkan.
