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Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: 18.2°C on a June night thanks to showers, but heat to come back with vengeance soon
Though June is one of the hottest months in the city, this year, it has begun on an unusually cool note, thanks to rain and thunderstorms over the past three nights. Showers in the early hours of Wednesday brought the minimum temperatures down to 18.2°C, 8.1°C below normal, at the airport station. At the IMD station in Sector 39, where 1.7 mm rain was recorded, the minimum was slightly higher at 21.7°C but still 4.6°C below normal. While last year, the city had seen record-breaking temperatures in the month of June, this year, it has recorded 13.9 mm rain in just four days, which is more than the total rainfall recorded through the month last year (11.9 mm). The total rainfall from June 1 to 4 is 71.6% above normal. The normal rain for the month of June is 155.5 mm. In 2023, 142.9 mm rain was recorded during the whole month. Even May was relatively cool this year with not a single day with heatwave conditions. Last year, the maximum temperature had shot up to 45.6°C on June 14, the highest in over 70 years. Explaining the anomaly, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Chandigarh director Surender Paul said a combination of Western Disturbances (WDs) and moisture from systems over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea have led to frequent showers. 'There have been frequent rain spells in the city since the second half of May which we are seeing in June as well,' he said. But the relief is set to be short-lived as temperatures are expected to soar past 40°C by the end of this week, IMD officials said. With no active Western Disturbances expected in the coming days, Paul said a gradual increase in temperature can be expected. Showers can be expected on Thursday, but temperatures are set to rise from Friday, and reach up to 41°C by Sunday. The minimum temperatures could also climb by seven notches by Monday. The maximum temperature dropped from 36.2°C on Tuesday to 34.5°C on Wednesday, which is 4.7°C below normal. Over the next three days, the maximum temperatures are expected to hover between 35°C and 39°C, while the minimum will stay between 23°C and 26°C.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Cool summer in Chandigarh: May's wet spell set to spill into June
After a rain-soaked May that brought a welcome reprieve from the usual searing heat, June looks set to follow suit. Following 191% above-average rainfall last month — the second-highest in a decade — weather officials say the wet and cool trend is likely to continue into June, making for a memorable summer before the rainy season. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Western Disturbances through much of June, followed by the arrival of monsoon towards the end, is expected to keep the region pleasantly cooler, with little to no heatwave days. 'We expect similar weather conditions in June as seen in May,' said IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul. 'Western Disturbances will be active at the start of the month and monsoon is also expected to arrive by the third week of June,' he added. If these weather conditions continue, 2025 could end up with not a single heatwave day in May or June — the two hottest months of the year before the advent of the rainy season. Rain likely till June 4 Light to moderate rainfall is right around the corner due to an active Western Disturbance over the region. Along with rain, until June 4, IMD has forecast possible thunderstorms and lightning, especially on Tuesday, when the system is likely to peak. Meanwhile, after the rain on Saturday evening, the maximum temperature rose slightly from 40°C the previous day to 40.1°C on Sunday, 0.9 degree above normal. The rain, however, made the night cooler, as the minimum temperature fell from 24.4°C on Saturday to 22.4°C on Sunday, 3.9 degrees below normal. Over the next three days, the maximum temperature is expected to hover between 36°C and 38°C, while the minimum will stay between 24°C and 25°C.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh escapes storm's wrath, but another's on its way
Chandigarh managed to escape the fury of a major thunderstorm system that battered large parts of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi on Saturday night, with only gusty winds and light rain recorded in the city. While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for nearby areas like Rupnagar and Patiala, the system spared this region, heading towards the national capital instead. Till 5.30 am on Sunday, Delhi recorded 81.4 mm rain, taking the total rainfall in the month to 186.2 mm, the highest in the city in May on record. Even Haryana's Karnal received 118 mm rain. In contrast, Chandigarh recorded just 0.1 mm rain overnight and 0.2 mm during the day on Sunday. Winds in the city reached speeds up to 60 km per hour, but no major damage was reported, unlike the Wednesday night storm that had uprooted trees and left several city areas in the dark. At the Chandigarh airport observatory, 13 mm of rain was recorded overnight and another 1 mm during the day. According to Surender Paul, director, IMD Chandigarh, the storm system developed from a confluence of a strong Western Disturbance with easterly winds. 'It started in the northern part of Punjab, and a red alert was even issued for Rupnagar and Patiala. But Chandigarh was able to escape the brunt of it. The maximum rain was recorded in Haryana, with 118 mm showers in Karnal,' he added. However, the relief may be short-lived, as more storms are likely to strike the region in the days ahead. Along with active western disturbances, and several other weather systems, including upper air cyclonic circulations over west Uttar Pradesh, south-west Rajasthan and north Gujarat, continue to influence this region's weather. Further, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal around May 27, further intensifying weather activity across the region. Thus, chances of more rain and gusty winds are likely until the end of the month. Cooler May: Heatwaves also spare city However, in a silver lining to the dark clouds, the city has so far been spared by the typical May sizzle. Traditionally the hottest month of the year, May this time has remained unusually cooler — a welcome respite for residents. In fact, though predicted in IMD long-range forecast, no heatwaves were declared in May. A heatwave is announced when the maximum temperature rises over 40°C and goes at least 4.5 degrees above normal. Last year, the maximum temperature at the Chandigarh airport station had gone up to 46.7°C on May 29, the all-time highest for the month of May. But this year, the highest that the maximum temperature has gone so far is 41.7°C on May 15. The city also hasn't recorded any warm night conditions yet when the minimum temperature goes over 4.5 degrees above normal, along with a maximum temperature above 40°C. Paul said active Western Disturbances over the region and other systems that had formed over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea also played a role in bringing rain throughout the month, keeping temperatures from spiking. Amid the increased moisture and active weather systems, May is highly likely to end without any heatwave days. June is also likely to start on a wet note, while monsoon is already running ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, following the overnight winds and rain, the city's maximum temperature dropped from 37.2°C on Saturday to 34.5°C on Sunday, a comfortable 2.5 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature also slid from 29.7°C to 23.1°C, also 2 degrees below normal. Over the next three days, the maximum temperature will remain between 36°C and 38°C, and the minimum temperature between 24°C and 27°C.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Monsoon set for an early date with Chandigarh
Chandigarh: With the monsoon arriving eight days ahead of schedule in Kerala, and if favourable conditions continue, it is likely to reach the Tricity earlier than usual this year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the Chandigarh meteorological department, it generally takes 25 days for the monsoon to reach the Tricity once it arrives in Kerala. The normal monsoon arrival date in Chandigarh is June 25. "If all monsoon conditions are in order and they are well established, it is expected that the monsoon will arrive in the city in next about 15 days. It is likely to be early or at least on the normal day of arrival. Sometimes, what happens is after arriving early in Kerala, it witnesses a break in between. In that scenario, it could be unpredictable. Otherwise, if the current order continues, the monsoon will reach the city even before June 20," Surender Paul, Chandigarh Met director, told TOI. On the exact date of monsoon arrival, Paul said, "Since the progress of the monsoon northward depends upon many factors, including a break monsoon, the timing of onset will be ascertained once it reaches about central India or so." Besides, there is a forecast of good rainfall in Chandigarh this time. "Good monsoon conditions are likely in Chandigarh this year. Normal to above-normal rainfall is expected. Normal rainfall in the city is 734 mm. In the ongoing summer season, which started on March 1, it has so far recorded 85 mm of rainfall. It is already 63.1% more than normal rainfall. Also, city is likely to see light rain on Monday, following which the next two days are expected to see a mainly clear sky. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, light rain is expected to return on May 29 and 30. On Sunday, the maximum temperature was 35.4 degrees Celsius, which is five degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature was 23.1 degrees, which is two degrees below normal. The temperatures are expected to increase slightly over the next five days.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Expect warmer nights ahead, say IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for warm nights from May 25 to 27 for the city that has been experiencing similar nights for around a week. The minimum temperature or the lowest temperature during the night has been above normal in the city for over a week now. When the minimum temperature rises by over 4.6 degrees Celsius to 6° Celsius , it is called a warm night, according to IMD's Chandigarh centre director Surender Paul. If the departure temperature (difference between observed temperature and the normal one) is more than 6° Celsius, it is called a severe warm night. The recorded minimum temperature on Saturday was 27.8° Celsius . It is expected only to rise in the coming week and stay above 29° Celsius from May 26. The earth releases the heat accumulated during the day at night in a phenomenon which is called radiation cooling. But when the maximum temperature or the daytime temperature rises above the normal 40° Celsius, the earth can't cool off enough in the night before the sun rises again and the temperature shoots up. This is how the nights also become warmer. A western disturbance is expected in the region by May end, and it may bring relief in Ludhiana as well. But before that, there hasn't a prediction of any rain that could bring the temperatures to near or below normal, according to the director. Earlier this week, the local health department had issued an advisory in the wake of the heatwave. Meanwhile, a strong thunderstorm swept through the city on Saturday evening, bringing relief from the heat.
