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New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Uttarakhand sees record June chill as pre-monsoon rain cools temperatures
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand is witnessing an unexpected drop in temperatures, breaking a 10-year heat record as heavy pre-monsoon rainfall continues to cool the region. The unusual weather pattern has been linked to strong moisture-carrying winds from the Bay of Bengal, which have led to sustained showers across the state. Officials at the State Meteorological Centre said the consistent rainfall from March to May, driven by Western Disturbances and increased atmospheric moisture, is the main reason behind the temperature drop. This year's pre-monsoon period brought far more rain than usual, which prevented summer temperatures from rising and significantly reduced forest fire incidents in higher altitudes. Speaking exclusively to TNIE, Dr. Bikram Singh, Director of the State Meteorological Centre, explained, "The comparatively higher pre-monsoon rainfall from March to May has been the primary reason for this temperature dip. The continuous nature of the rain not only sustained the drop in mercury but also significantly reduced incidents of forest fires in the state's higher reaches, further contributing to the cooler conditions. The absence of forest fires has also ensured a pleasant climate." Dr. Singh further acknowledged a discernible shift in weather patterns, remarking that the summer period has "shrunk." "With the monsoon now at our doorstep, the summer season has virtually disappeared," he observed. He further said that the sustained strong winds from the Bay of Bengal and Western Disturbances, coupled with intermittent rainfall, left "no gap for temperatures to rise," thus preventing the usual summer escalation. This shift has brought rare relief in June, a month usually marked by intense heat. For the first time in a decade, the first week of June is being marked by pleasant, even chilly, weather across much of the state. In mountainous areas, people have taken out sweaters and blankets, while in the plains, many have turned off their air conditioners. Shubhankar Dimri, a hotelier in Joshimath, told TNIE, "We are having to wear sweaters even in June this year. Such a weather cycle was last witnessed nearly 30 years ago." Quoting his father, Subhash Dimri, Shubhankar added, "This time, there has been unexpected snowfall in Gorso, just 4 kilometres beyond Auli and Joshimath, which in itself is a record." In Dehradun, the maximum temperature has been recorded at eight degrees below normal for the second time in a week. On Tuesday, the city saw a daytime high of 27.6 degrees Celsius and a night temperature of 17.3 degrees — the lowest June minimum in 10 years. Environmentalists have expressed concern over the shift in weather cycles. Ira Chauhan told TNIE, "The way the summer period has shrunk could prove to be a fatal factor for our vegetation, fruits, horticulture, and overall food security. This is a significant warning bell."
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.
News18
2 days ago
- Climate
- News18
Why Was This One Of The Coolest Mays On Record Since 1901?
Last Updated: Unusual weather kept Delhi's daytime temperatures well below normal, with May's average maximum at 35.08°C — the seventh lowest recorded since 1901 In an unusual turn of events, the month of May 2025 in Delhi and across India was marked by unexpected weather patterns, featuring rain, clouds and cold winds instead of the typical scorching sun and heat waves. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the country experienced the highest average rainfall for May since records began in 1901, with 126.7 mm of rainfall recorded. This unprecedented weather also kept daytime temperatures in Delhi significantly below normal, with the average maximum temperature at 35.08 degrees Celsius, the seventh lowest since 1901. Night temperatures also remained low, making it the 59th coldest May on record. The unusual weather patterns resulted in substantial rainfall across almost all states, with numerous instances of heavy and very heavy rainfall. The IMD reported 1053 incidents of heavy rain (64.5–115.5 mm), 262 incidents of very heavy rain (115.6–204.5 mm), and 39 incidents of exceptionally heavy rain (more than 204.5 mm), marking the highest figures in the last five years, with the exception of 2021. Why Did This Happen? IMD scientist OP Srijit attributed this anomaly to three primary factors: the early arrival of the monsoon, the formation of two depressions in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, and the continuous impact of Western Disturbances. When Was The Coldest May Of The Century? According to the IMD, the coldest May of the century was in 1917, with an average temperature of 33.09°C. Since then, May temperatures have remained below 35°C in years such as 1933, 1977, 2021, 1920, and 1971. May 2025 has now also been added to this list. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
May records highest rainfall since 1901; Delhi remained unusually cool
New Delhi: The month of May was unusually cooler this year, with average daytime temperatures recording the seventh lowest for the month since 1901 and the lowest in the last four years, according to the India Meteorological Department's temperature and rainfall report for May. Night-time temperatures, or minimum temperatures, were also on the lower side this May, which recorded the 59th lowest average minimum temperatures for the month since 1901. 'Over India, the average maximum temperature (35.08 degree Celsius) was 7th lowest and average minimum temperature (24.07 degree Celsius) was 59th lowest since 1901. Mean temperature (29.57 degree Celsius) was the 19th lowest since 1901,' the IMD report said. The report also highlighted that the average rainfall across the country in May, recorded at 126.7 mm (106.4% of the long period average), was the highest for the month since 1901, when the temperatures first began recording. This May also recorded the highest number of heavy (64.5 to 115.5 mm) rain events at 1,053; very heavy (115.6 to 204.5 mm) rain events at 262; and extremely heavy (more than 204.5 mm) rain events at 39, in the past five years, barring 2021, when the number of extremely heavy rain events was higher at 42. OP Sreejith, scientist and head, Climate Monitoring and Prediction Group, IMD, cited long spells of 'overcast skies and wet conditions' behind the unusually cooler month of May this year. 'There are three main reasons for such unusual rains. First, Monsoon arrived early. Secondly, two depressions formed over Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal; and third, more Western Disturbances (WDs) impacted northern India,' Sreejith said. According to IMD data, the coolest May was recorded in 1917, when the average maximum temperature across the country was logged at 33.09°C. The next coolest May was recorded in 1933, with the average daytime temperature at 34.10°C, followed by 34.88°C in 1977, 34.93°C in 2021, 34.98°C in 1920, and 35.05°C in 1971. Over Central India, the average day temperature the previous month stood at 36.63 degree Celsius, the third lowest since 1901, while the average minimum temperature (25.14 degree Celsius) was the 12th lowest since 1901. Mean temperature (30.89 degree C) was the 3rd lowest since 1901, according to IMD. HT has earlier reported that May has been unusual for northwest India, particularly because of persistence of slow-moving western disturbances over the region. WDs are cyclones originating in the Mediterranean Sea which move east and bring winter rain to the northwest India. The impact of WDs is felt normally during December, January and February, but this year they have been active till late May. A persistence of WDs is normally deemed unfavourable for the monsoon, according to experts. 'WDs are persisting till summer this year. Monsoon has not progressed to NW India yet and hence we cannot say whether it will interact with these WDs. One of the main reasons we are seeing sudden, intense thunderstorm activity over NW India is the unusual persistence of these WDs,' M Mohapatra, director general, IMD, said last week. The northern limit of the Southwest Monsoon continues to pass through Mumbai, Ahilyanagar, Adilabad, Bhawanipatna, Puri, Sandhead Island. It has not progressed since last week, IMD said.
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.
