Pre-Monsoon Thunderstorm Activity Over Maharashtra: Relief From Heat Wave
Representational Image: AI-Skymet
Key Takeaways:
- Vidarbha has been witnessing extreme heat, with Amraoti touching 42.2°C on March 12.
- Several districts including Akola, Washim, Wardha, Nagpur, Chandrapur, and Yeotmal have repeatedly crossed 40°C in early March.
- Pre-monsoon thunderstorms are expected between March 18 and March 20 across Vidarbha, Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra.
- Strong winds, lightning and isolated hailstorms may impact standing crops during this spell.
Land-locked sub-divisions of Maharashtra are among the hottest pockets in the country. Amraoti in Vidarbha has been figuring as the hottest place in the country. The city has recorded temperatures in excess of 40°C for the last one week. The city registered the highest temperature of 42.2°C on March 12, 2025. Most parts of Vidarbha, including Akola, Washim, Wardha, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Bramhapuri, and Yeotmal, have frequently breached the 40°C mark during the first half of March. Isolated places like Jeur, Malegaon, and Sholapur have also recorded 40°C early in the season. The state is likely to see pre-monsoon activity commencing anytime soon and spreading across all three land-locked sub-divisions.
There is a chain of westerly systems moving across the northern parts of the country. Pre-monsoon activity has already started over these regions. These systems have pushed the anticyclone from Rajasthan to parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Recurving winds from the eastern coast have pushed the moist stream deep inland and formed convergence with the displaced anticyclone. The north-south trough extending from Vidarbha-Marathwada to the interiors of Peninsular India, across North & South Interior Karnataka, will accentuate the weather activity across the region. These multiple factors, acting in tandem, will trigger the first spell of pre-monsoon activity over Maharashtra with decent spread and intensity.
Under the combined influence of these features, all three land-locked sub-divisions of the state will receive pre-monsoon thunderstorm activity associated with other hazards. The Konkan Coast will largely get spared of any inclement weather conditions. On March 18, the weather activity will occur over South Madhya Maharashtra, most parts of Marathwada, and a few places of Vidarbha. On March 19, the weather activity will spread to more parts of Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Vidarbha. The next day, intense weather may vacate northern parts of Madhya Maharashtra but will continue to strike most parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. During these three days, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds will be followed by sporadic showers. Chances of isolated hailstorms cannot be ruled out. Strong winds and hailstorms are a damaging combination for standing crops.
The pre-monsoon spell will provide relief from the hot conditions over the region, more visibly across parts of Vidarbha. Scorching conditions are unlikely to return until the start of next week. Broad clearance of weather activity will occur more effectively from March 21 and remain good for at least the subsequent one week.
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