After severe winter, mild and comfortable weather is usually observed over Northwest Central and Eastern parts of the country. The spring season was almost absent during 2022. The transition from winter to summer was very fast. Heat waves were witnessed over many parts of the country during March 2022 leading to many casualties across India and adjoining parts of Pakistan. The premature heat impacted the quality and output of wheat crop and lead to forest fires in Uttarakhand.
Similar trend is being witnessed this year also. We are in the third week of February and temperatures are soaring across western Himalayas and many parts of Northwestern Central India. Delhi recorded 29.8 degrees which is 6 degrees above normal.
Similarly, Bhuj in Gujarat reached 40-degree day before yesterday. Maximum temperatures over Gujarat are in the range of 37 and 39 degree. Parts of Rajasthan are witnessing a maximum 5 to 7 degree over normal. In Jammu and Kashmir, the departure is between 7 and 9 degrees.
An anti-cyclone over Northeast Arabian Sea is pushing hot and dry winds over Rajasthan Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra. In November and December, there was no intense Western disturbance over Western Himalayas which would have dumbed moderate to heavy snowfall. 2 to 3 intense Western disturbance impacted western Himalayas in the month of January but again February is almost dry with isolated light rain.
The feeble Western disturbances are not able to give significant rain and snow, but they are capable of blocking the flow of cold winds from north to northwestern and Central India. Leading to clear weather, bright sunshine and rise in temperatures. Similar trend may continue in the month of March as well. Therefore, we can say the summer will set in early.
