India is witnessing an unusually early surge in heat, with maximum temperatures in several regions rising 6 to 15 degrees Celsius above normal, indicating an early arrival of summer conditions across parts of the country.
Weather analyst Devendra Tripathi said the country is currently experiencing noticeable shifts in weather patterns.
According to him, a Western Disturbance is expected to affect the Himalayan region on March 7, bringing cloud cover to areas such as Muzaffarabad and the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Possibility of rain or snowfall
Tripathi said the weather system could trigger some rainfall and snowfall in the higher Himalayan areas, though the activity is likely to remain limited.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also predicted isolated to scattered light rain or snowfall across the Western Himalayan region during this period.
In the plains, cloudy conditions may develop in parts of north-western Punjab, including Amritsar and Tarn Taran. Some cloud cover is also expected over parts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
Heatwave concerns continue
Meanwhile, rising temperatures remain a major concern in several regions.
Tripathi said a heatwave alert has been issued for parts of coastal Maharashtra, including Mumbai, where temperatures have been hovering between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has also issued heatwave warnings for isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh on March 6 and 7.
Independent weather expert Navdeep Dahiya noted that March 6 marked the first instance this season when temperatures touched 40 degrees Celsius, with readings recorded in cities such as Amravati and Akola.
Weather outlook for Delhi
In the national capital, temperatures have also remained above normal.
Tripathi said that while the temperature reached around 18 degrees Celsius in the morning, the influence of slightly cooler winds could make the weather somewhat more comfortable tomorrow.
According to the IMD forecast, New Delhi is expected to see mainly clear skies on March 7, with maximum temperatures between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures ranging from 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.
Heat likely to persist in Gujarat
Heatwave conditions are also expected to continue in parts of Gujarat, particularly the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, where hot and humid weather may prevail.
Tripathi added that coastal areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are also experiencing rising temperatures, though partial cloud cover could bring a slight dip in temperatures in those regions.