Due to western disturbances, thunderstorms and lightning are expected in plain areas of North-West India on the nights of March 16, March 17 and 18, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), reported news agency ANI.
"Yesterday, Delhi recorded 34.1°C, which was the hottest day of March this year so far. Due to western disturbances, thunderstorms & lightning are expected in plain areas of North-West India on night of March 16, March 17 & 18," ANI quoted Kuldeep Srivastava, Regional Head, IMD Delhi, as saying.
According to IMD, across northwest India, maximum temperatures are predicted to drop by two to three degrees Celsius.
This is expected to bring some respite for Delhiites after Delhi's maximum temperature on Sunday settled at 34.1 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day of the season so far. On Monday, the maximum temperature in the national capital settled at 33.4 degrees Celsius, four notches above the season's average.
Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is likely over south, central, east and northeast India between March 15 and 17.
The IMD bulletin said a cyclonic circulation lies over south Assam amd neighbourhood in lower tropospheric levels. Under the influence of this weather system, isolated to scattered light rainfall activity with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (speed 30-40 kmph) is very likely over sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and northeast India till March 14.
"Isolated to scattered rainfall with thunderstorm and lightning very likely over Western Himalayan Region during 13th-15th; over Punjab and Rajasthan on March 13, 2023. Isolated hailstorm activity also likely over Uttarakhand on March 13," the bulletin further said.
In Gujarat, maximum temperatures are predicted to drop gradually by two to four degrees Celsius in the next five days.
Across central and eastern India there is a very good chance that maximum temperatures won't vary significantly during the following two days and then decline by two to four degrees Celsius, the IMD said.