The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast day and night temperatures to remain above normal in March. Meanwhile, rains are predicted in parts of Jammu Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bengal and Sikkim on Thursday.

The met department has forecast that the scattered rain will keep temperatures under control. On heatwave, the IMD said there was "little probability of heat waves in March", but most parts of the country could experience extreme weather conditions in April and May. The department would be providing colour-coded heat wave warnings from this month.

However, Skymet said the contrary and predicted 40 degrees Celsius on plains by end of March. The heatwave is declared bythe IMD if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius or more for plains and at least 30 degrees Celsius or more for hilly regions.

Skymet Weather has forecast heatwave in parts of the country. High temperatures may impact the deterioration in output and yield of crops -- Wheat and mustard are important standing crops. Higher consumption of electricity for air condition and irrigation is also most likely.

The temperature in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Vidarbha is forecast to touch 40 degrees Celsius this month.

Skymet Weather said on Wednesday it expects "temperatures to reduce by 2 to 3 degrees over Northern Plains in next 48 hours". The last day of February had witnessed scattered rain and thunder showers over many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Rains continued to lash few parts on March 1 also. However, Skymet said the rain will almost clear on March 2.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), February was the hottest in the last 122 years, with average maximum temperatures touching 29.54 degrees Celsius. The temperature was 3 to 9 degrees Celsius above normal. The weather department said most parts of the country are expected to experience above-normal temperatures, while the southern peninsula and parts of Maharashtra are likely to escape the brunt of harsh weather conditions.

February also recorded 68 percent rainfall deficit, with anti-cyclone over the Arabian sea leading to warmer air. The La Nina alert was caused by cooler-than-normal surface waters in the Pacific Ocean.

Also, the March to April period last year was the hottest in 122 years for northwest India.

First Published:Mar 2, 2023 8:47 AM IST