North Rajasthan touches 30°C for the first time this February as early heat sets in
Key Takeaways:
- North Rajasthan recorded its first 30°C temperatures of February, signalling early warming.
- Day temperatures were 4–6°C above normal across several locations by February 10.
- Dry weather, clear skies, and weak winds accelerated daytime heating.
- Slight cooling is expected with northwesterly winds, but above-normal warmth may persist through mid-February.
Weather conditions across Rajasthan have remained dry since the beginning of February, with temperatures staying near normal levels until around February 5. However, a noticeable warming trend began from February 6–7, particularly over North Rajasthan, where maximum temperatures started rising steadily. By February 10, day temperatures were running 4 to 6°C above normal across several locations.
The early heat was clearly reflected in temperature records. Bikaner entered the lower thirties on February 9, recording a maximum of 30.6°C. Churu touched 30°C on February 10, while Pilani registered 30.2°C on the same day. These values mark the first instance of 30°C temperatures in North Rajasthan this February.
Climatologically, the average February maximum temperature is 26.9°C for Bikaner, 26.8°C for Churu, and 24.7°C for Pilani. While temperatures crossing the 30°C mark are not unusual for North Rajasthan, such readings typically occur in the second half of February, making this early spike noteworthy.
The primary reasons behind this sudden rise appear to be persistent dry weather, clear skies, and light wind conditions over the past couple of days. The absence of cloud cover allowed strong daytime heating, while weak winds limited atmospheric mixing, enabling temperatures to climb rapidly.
Looking ahead, wind speeds are expected to increase, with northwesterly winds likely to dominate the region. These cooler winds originating from the Western Himalayan region may help bring maximum temperatures back below the 30°C mark in the coming days. However, this relief is not expected to be long-lasting, and temperatures are likely to remain on the higher side for mid-February, indicating an early onset of pre-summer warmth across North Rajasthan.
